Yekooche First Nation is suing ex-chief Henry Joseph for alleged financial mismanagement, and possibly ceding overlapping territory to the Lake Babine Nation. He is also being accused of issuing threats and locking out staff from the band office.
Henry Joseph was chief of Yekooche after an election on Sept. 28 of last year, and held office for over a month earlier this year. His short tenure was frought with controversy, as the election was appealed under allegations of vote-buying and then a subsequent recall resulted in a byelection. Joseph then lost his seat to Partner Schielke in the byelection.
Joseph had dismissed many band employees after taking office, alleging corruption within the organization and financial mismanagement against the band.
Now the tables have turned and he is facing a civil suit and the band is now saying he misused band funds and was not acting in the best interest of the band and he may have signed an agreement ceding overlapping territory with the Lake Babine Nation.
Neither sides allegations have been proven in court.
Current Chief Schielke will now be in office until January of 2014, Schielke was the chief prior to Joseph being elected in September 2011.