Photo by Vince Fedoroff
Pictured above: Kristina Kane and Michelle Telep
First Nation responds to ruling by judicial council
The Ta’an Kwäch’än Council is taking strong steps towards enhancing good governance practices
The Ta’an Kwäch’än Council is taking strong steps towards enhancing good governance practices through important changes to its legislation and policies, the First Nation said in a press release issued Monday.
In February of this year, a complaint was filed by a TKC citizen against Chief Kristina Kane and deputy chief Michelle Telep alleging they had “compromised the dignity and effectiveness of their positions” through their use of TKC credit cards. The complaint called for the removal of both Kristina Kane and Michelle Telep from their respective positions.
The complaint was filed after leadership had already taken steps to rectify the issue, says the press release.
It’s important to note that the personal credit card charges were identified as such by the chief and deputy chief, and reimbursement was made through payroll deductions. The charges have been fully repaid and actions are being taken to address the absence of a TKC credit card use policy.
Last week, the Ta’an Kwäch’än Judicial Council decided not to use its power to remove both Kane and Telep from their positions. The violations “are more administrative in nature than demonstrative of contempt for the laws of the TKFN,” according to the ruling. “(The) violations did not result in any adverse effect on the functioning of the TKFN.”
In response to the ruling, Kane, Telep and the Ta’an Kwäch’än administration are taking steps to re-establish trust with TKC citizens.
Chief Kane and deputy chief Telep will work towards establishing a credit card use policy, in force for all TKC credit cardholders, within six months of this decision.
The ruling also calls for the adoption of a Leadership and Accountability Act, with appropriate regulations or policies in place either formally approved or on an interim basis.
“The personal use of the credit cards was improper and we are sorry it happened,”Chief Kane said Monday. “We apologize for the breach of the TKC Human Resources Policy and Procedures Manual. We recognize the need to improve our policies and legislation and look forward to working with citizens to make this happen. We appreciate the judicial council’s recommendations.”
“Our community workshops in March were beneficial in helping our First Nation achieve community unity and healing,” said deputy chief Telep. “We hope to continue this work with our community as soon as possible, as we are on a positive momentum forward.”
Executive director Doris Anderson said she is also committed to leading the administration in supporting leadership and implementing the objectives and goals of chief and council.
The TKJC rulings can be found here: http://taan.ca/governance/judicial-council/judicial-council-caseactivity-list/
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Comments (13)
Up 9 Down 0
Proud Southern Tutchone on Sep 4, 2016 at 2:04 pm
I am afraid it's just another issue that will die out when leaders are caught breaching their own laws. There are always so many excuses for their behaviour it's nauseating. No one wants to get involved or ruffle the feathers of the First Nations so the issues are ignored. It appears that no one feels shame anymore or cares about their credibility or the people they represent. It's all about the money. The hierarchy in the little First Nation Governments is causing havoc on the people. Everyone is trying to claw their way to the top and the citizens are the losers as they get forgotten. They have absolutely nowhere to go when they are abused by their leadership. Some people are afraid to say something because they don't want to rock the boat and some actually agree with what is going on. I can only speculate that they have a lot to lose if the truth is revealed.
I will never accept comments from people who say, well, she paid the money back let's move on. That is the mentality we have had to deal with within TKC and it's wrong. You can't sweep everything under the carpet. I'm still perplexed why our Chief keeps saying we are moving forward. We are NOT moving anywhere as there is too much mistrust and disrespect between the citizens and the leadership. Her and her supporters keep conducting healing workshops, thinking they can heal us but they don't bother to ask the citizens what the issues are. They never deal with the "REAL" issues. You have to find out what is broken before you can fix it.
Up 13 Down 0
really? on Sep 4, 2016 at 1:25 pm
So Kane and Telep misuse the first nation's credit cards, a complaint is filed with the Judicial Council, they hire lawyers to defend their actions and the first nation pays for the lawyers? Really?
Up 13 Down 6
Josey Wales on Sep 3, 2016 at 8:43 am
Yes folks we can condemn these folks all we wish too, will anything change? I am of the opinion....no it will not.
Just a great way to illustrate that race has little to do with human values and our susceptibility to said flaws in our character.
That said, I fantasize about the day when we can file this race war in the dumpster, treat folks really equal etc.
Like put thieves in jail, remove them from their positions of trust and generally hold everyone to the outcome of THEIR actions accountable.
...yes I am well aware of the level of fantasy required for such a thought...in Canada.
When pigs fly...in Iran.
There is but one race of people, the human race.
Up 20 Down 3
drum on Sep 2, 2016 at 6:35 pm
Stealing is stealing!!!!!!!
Taxpayers money - people forget that money that comes from the Federal Government to First Nations Governments is actually Taxpayers money - people who work in Canada and retire in Canada pay Income Tax which the Federal Government distributes. It does not come out of the the clouds in the sky or gets printed as needed. The hard working people of Canada who pay Income Tax keep this country afloat.
Up 21 Down 6
north_of_60 on Sep 1, 2016 at 10:09 pm
They made good use of the leftist "HillaryClinton" defense. Oh yes, they broke the law and were untrustworthy, but hey, they didn't actually INTEND to do any harm so it's OK, but they should say they're sorry so it appears Canadian.
Just remember it's another example of your income taxes hard at work for "Sunny Ways".
Up 28 Down 4
Trying to Reveal It on Aug 31, 2016 at 8:04 pm
Reveal It asked:
TKFN - Were there consequences to their misuse of the credit cards? They have to say they are sorry. The Judicial Council says because her name was on the card. it could suggest that Ms. Kane did, in fact, believe it was her credit card to be used at will.
Were they suspended from Council? No, because some Councillors said they didn't do anything wrong.
Did they ask the people if they still wanted them to continue to lead their FN? No.
It seems as though this breach of trust has proven to be acceptable. Yes, to some. How much funds did they use?
What was it used for? Why don't they reveal all the information? Good question. The salaries are in the $100K range, yet emergency funds are also requested.
Up 41 Down 7
Grossed Out on Aug 31, 2016 at 9:58 am
Congratulations Kristina and Michelle. This is the first time you have taken responsibility for your actions. This also seems to be the first time that you have been held accountable. As a TKC citizen, I think this matter would have been much better dealt with by Council. But I guess it made more sense to hire a Lawyer, as per usual and fight with your citizens. As much as this apology is warranted, it only comes after a judicial ruling. All this conflict for what, I’m Sorry?
How does it affect your citizens when they have to fight with their nation, just to get you to uphold their Government and act like responsible leaders? It seems that every time a citizen questions the behavior of this Leadership they become a target. If you look through the comments on the story about the ruling, they are all pseudo names of one family and they are blaming Mrs. Harp for filing this complaint. It seems that these Chiefs are not the only ones that need to learn how to take responsibility. It seems that your supporters, the Council and Citizens need to learn as well, those that actually believe that you two didn’t cause all of this.
Our First Nations has serious issues to deal with now. Those of us that were at the GA or received a copy of the Video from that 5 hour meeting are well aware that we seem to be fostering a culture of blame, abuse of power and bullying. Even our Elders are targeted. You can apologize in the paper, but when your Chief is screaming “Thanks a lot Bonnie for going to the media” kind of seems like your apology is saving face and that you still don’t really understand what taking responsibility means. You can cut the tension with a knife. I am so disappointed with the state of my nation. Your people are walking away. Your Elders are being abused. Your youth are being targeted. I want my nation to be a place of belonging, respect, honesty and opportunity as our people tried to achieve through this Governance.
I don’t see this leadership having the capacity to meet our needs and I think you two ladies will be spending the rest of your term cleaning up the mess you made. Apparently we don’t have better things to do.
Up 47 Down 11
Just Say'in on Aug 30, 2016 at 10:15 pm
So let me see.
The two people that were filling their pockets were the ones that noticed the indiscretion. REALLY I doubt that.
Now these same two people are going to develop a credit card policy, when they claim they don't seem to know the difference between the bands money and theirs. UNBELIEVABLE.
The Feds should be cutting the band off until this is sorted out and some people lose their jobs.
Up 31 Down 3
Traditional TKC Citizen on Aug 30, 2016 at 9:56 pm
Surely the Exec. Director meant to say, "implementing the goals and objectives of TKC citizens" and "not the goals and objectives of the Chief and Council." As lest we forget these people, who are in leadership positions were voted in by the TKC citizens and should be acting in accordance of what is in the best interests of their citizens.
Up 36 Down 6
Breach of trust???? Duh on Aug 30, 2016 at 8:04 pm
I have read the above "Press Release" which I believe was done by one of Chief Kane's staff. It is easy to say your sorry when you don't write the press release and after you get caught.
I have been told that Kane refused to do media interviews. Why? Saying your sorry and claiming ignorance just doesn't cut it this time. (Remember your election fiasco) We do. There is no moving forward and establishing trust.
This past weekend's GA catastrophe must have proved to you that the citizens do not trust either of you at all. You have burned to many bridges. I hear that there are more issues regarding your leadership before the Judicial Council. Do the right thing and step down. We want a leader who is accountable to the citizens and who actually cares about us.
Up 43 Down 4
Unreal on Aug 30, 2016 at 4:11 pm
Unreal. What kind of example does this set? As a TKFN member this is just wrong.
Up 60 Down 5
Reveal it on Aug 30, 2016 at 3:30 pm
TKFN - Were there consequences to their misuse of the credit cards?
Were they suspended from Council? Did they ask the people if they still wanted them to continue to lead their FN?
It seems as though this breach of trust has proven to be acceptable. How much funds did they use? What was it used for? Why don't they reveal all the information. Put all the facts on the table.
Up 56 Down 6
ProScience Greenie on Aug 30, 2016 at 2:46 pm
More top heavy and bureaucratic than the United Nations. Epic fail and waste of resources that is not at all fair to TKC citizens. Especially those in need.