Report, petition seek Gauthier’s removal from BRFN council leadership

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Blueberry River First Nation (BRFN) members doubled down on their intentions to remove Shelley Gauthier from her councillor position with the First Nation.

At a meeting on Tuesday evening, November 26th, in Fort St. John, family members of the late Edward Apsassin gathered to discuss a petition and formal report.  

Custom band by-laws require a petition signed by at least 60 percent of family members and a formal report presented to BRFN’s chief operating officer in order to oust a councillor.

The family intends to present the report to BRFN council at their meeting scheduled for Thursday, November 28th.

Earlier this month, members of the family announced Gauthier’s removal, but council members later disputed the claim.

Attendees raised concerns about a lack of transparency and disagreements with implementation agreements signed in 2023 and 2024.

“Our future generation is at risk right now,” said Gabe Harvey, a BRFN member who says Gauthier’s removal is a “small step” in the right direction.

“When she was first elected back to council, she said she was going to give the people their voice back by changing the band custom. She was going to take [former chief] Marvin [Yahey] to court, but she dropped the case.”

“She promised a youth council and elders council, but that hasn’t happened.”

BRFN Elder Clarence Apsassin says council’s “micromanaging” must end, and Gauthier hasn’t “listened” to family members on issues.

According to him, Gauthier’s contention that a “small group” of family members desiring to oust her is untrue.

“This is about the political issues,” said Apsassin. “We have 101 signatures [and] that speaks for itself.  We gave her a letter signed by the Elders to ask her to step down.”

“She went a step further, saying we didn’t follow proper procedure. She was right, the report wasn’t ready, and we made it clear to her. But she ranted off on something else. That’s her choice to do that.  That wasn’t us.”

This is the latest in a series of troubles at the First Nation, which began with Judy Desjarlais’s removal in September.

Her filing of a judicial review is currently pending before federal court.  

Last week, BRFN economic arm Blueberry River Resources announced its intention to cease operations, citing governance issues.