The two councillors, Judith Gale and Jolene Beaver, who were both appointed chaperones, were negligent in monitoring the safety and well being of the Youth on the trip to Edmonton for Dreamcather's Youth Conference.
Jolene Beaver wasn't even on the bus, and Judith Gale smoked marijuana joints during 'smoke breaks' while transporting the Youth to Edmonton, and also on the return trip back. Jolene Beaver claimed she was following the bus, if so, then she was also allowing the illegal activity to continue. If she wasn't, then the honorariums paid to her should be reimbursed to SRFN.
In addition, the day after a complaint was made about the above actions, Councillor Jolene Beaver called one of the minor youth to harass him about the complaint. Jolene Beaver berated the minor for 9 minutes.
An official complaint has been filed with the RCMP. RCMP are looking at laying charges in NWT and Alberta, since there were multiple stops for 'smoke breaks'.
Bell phone records, and a recording made by the minor's mother, indicate the time and date of the call. The call was made to the minor on October 16,2012 at 5:33 pm.
Councillors have to follow a Code of Ethics. If the Youth were physically harmed, injured during this trip, insurance would not be valid, as there were illegal activities being conducted by the SRFN Councillor. If there was an accident on the road, who would have taken care of the Youth?
When Councillors take office, they swear to a Code of Ethics. There are also guidelines that Councillors agree to when being a chaperone during a Dreamcather's Conference. Two of them being: (#'4 & #5 extracted from Grant MacEwan's Dreamcatcher website)
4.Chaperones should be an example to their youth – conducting themselves in a manner with their roles as a leader/chaperone – exhibiting good moral behaviour and refraining from the use of alcohol.
5.Major conduct violations such as use of alcohol, drugs, vandalism, theft, violence or behaviour unbecoming a delegate to the Dreamcatcher conference should be dealt with immediately with the appropriate disciplinary action.
The entire list of guidelines can be found on the website.
Regardless of lack of physical harm or injury, Leaders need to set an example for the Youth. First Nation Youth are already vulnerable to addiction and substance abuse, Councillors should not be encouraging that lifestyle.
We as a Nation need to take a stand against this type of behaviour.
This petition is not say that everyone must be drug-free, what someone does in privacy is their business. But, when Councillors go on a SRFN sanctioned trip with Youth certain responsibilities should be upheld. If this was your minor child, niece/nephew, grandchild, you wouldn't want them put a risk when traveling away from home.
The SRFN Election Code gives the power to the Chief to call a special meeting to have Judith Gale removed as Councillor, with your signature we can call for immediate action.