Ex-BRFN Chief Desjarlais retains McMillian LLP to challenge ouster

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Dismissed Blueberry River First Nations (BRFN) Chief Judy Desjarlais announced via Facebook she has retained the services of prominent law firm McMillian LLP to challenge the decision in federal court.

On Thursday, October 10th, Desjarlais posted a letter and encouraged her followers to read it. She thanked BRFN members for reaching out with supportive messages, saying “I am truly grateful and honoured by it.”

The letter, dated October 10th and addressed to Vancouver-based labour lawyer Naz Mitha, alleges BRFN council failed to comply with guidelines surrounding the First Nations Election Act, specifically 199 (d) of the Custom Election Bylaw.

The challenge seeks clarity on Desjarlais’s removal and whether the BRFN council corresponded with the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs.

“It is our client’s understanding that you and/or the councillors copied on this letter plan to brief the Blueberry River community on this matter,” the letter reads.

Desjarlais was ousted by the BRFN council in late September after an investigation concluded she had violated several council bylaws.

Those included allegedly signing off on permits to PETRONAS on traditional lands without council approval. 

Desjarlais herself posted the agreement on September 26th, which included $3 million in funding from the energy company for infrastructure projects in BRFN, which says the grounds were approximately 4 kilometres from the dancing grounds.

The First Nation’s statement on September 17th addressed all their concerns about Desjarlais’s removal. 

In a video on Facebook released after, she stated that the investigation had cost the First Nation upwards of $400,000.