UPDATE: Blueberry River First Nation to reopen economic development arm

Update #1: (11:36 a.m.) this story has been updated to remove all references of the former CEO of Blueberry River Resources.

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The Council of Blueberry River First Nation (BRFN) has released a statement stating that it has taken back control of its economic arm, Blueberry River Resources (BRR), and will keep it open. 

BRR announced its closure on November 12th, saying “governance challenges, negative actions and a lack of income stream,” rendered the decision by the board to cease operations effective immediately. 

The council’s statement states that BRR’s press release was “misleading” and “does not in any case” justify the company’s closing, saying parties were “manipulating the situation.”

“BRR was set up to operate independently of the Nation,” reads part of the release. “Blueberry is still the sole owner of BRR, and the company operates to benefit the Nation and its members.”

“On the date of the press release announcing the closure, the directors were Judy Desjarlais and Councillor Linda Chipesia. The sole officer was the CEO.”

Council claims BRR’s former directors acted on band council resolutions which “improperly benefited some former employees” and “negatively affected” the First Nation’s economic interests.

“The actions taken by former directors were not approved by BRFN council,” said Councilor Wayne Yahey in the statement.

“It was inappropriate to take extreme actions without council’s knowledge or approval.”

Energeticcity.ca was informed by BRFN representatives that a leaked memo obtained on Monday does not “show the full picture” of the situation at BRR, adding that they would not comment further on the situation.

The release states that board members, including former Chief Judy Desjarlais and Chipesia, were formally removed at a council meeting on November 26th. 

BRR was founded by BRFN in 2022 after a $65 million settlement with the provincial government over land title claims.

Its website says it was created to advance Blueberry River First Nations’ (BRFN) economic priorities and provide opportunities for sustainability and self-sufficiency for the First Nation for “now and years to come.”

The statement signed by four BRFN councillors concludes by saying a third-party audit of BRR’s financial and other records will commence, with further information when it is available.

It adds that the reinstatement process for all BRR employees is underway and the search for a new CEO will begin “in the coming weeks.”