Judicial review of Blueberry River First Nations council lies in hands of federal court

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The fate of a judicial review of a northeast B.C. First Nations council’s actions now lies in the hands of a federal court.

A judicial review of the Blueberry River First Nations (BRFN) council filed by Elders Clarence and Joe Apsassin went before a court in Vancouver last week.

The filing sought a review of the entire council after a separate investigation into the former Chief Judy Desjarlais was concluded.

The Apsassin’s allegations include that the removal of Desjarlais, who was fired due to accusations of a conflict of interest, was not in conjunction with BRFN’s by-laws, and sought the removal of their family-appointed councillor, Shelley Gauthier.

The duo said they wanted to give the BRFN members a “greater voice” in the decision-making process.

A previous statement issued by BRFN said the independent investigation found Desjarlais did not “act honestly, impartially or in good faith.”

Speaking to Energeticcity.ca in July, Clarence said he was “optimistic” about the outcome of the review for his community. 

“I don’t see this going any other way,” he told Energeticcity.ca.

The Apsassins’ legal counsel, Aaron Christoff, said it could take anywhere from three to six months awaiting the decision, with the earliest decision coming in the fall.

In a statement, BRFN council said the judicial review took place “with written statements” only, and no one – including the Apsassins and council members – provided “any oral testimony in the courtroom.”