UPDATE: CEO alleges BRFN threats, financial mismanagement, and leadership struggles amid audit pushbacks 

Update (1:40 p.m., December 3rd): This story has been updated to provide context surrounding the details of the memo obtained by energeticcity.ca

Update#2 (11:34, December 18th): This story has been updated to remove all references to the identity of the former CEO of Blueberry River Resources.

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The former chief executive officer of Blueberry River Resources (BRR) stated in November in a leaked memo that numerous problems are currently grappling the First Nation as it enters 2025 amid growing uncertainty.

The economic arm of Blueberry River First Nation (BRFN) announced its intention to cease operations last month.

Posted to social media by BRFN Elder Clarance Apsassin and obtained by energeticccity.ca, the CEO who will not be named says governance issues, alleged financial mismanagement, and alleged threats from members of BRFN council as reasons for the upheaval.

According to the former CEO, he was hired in June 2024 after what he said he thought was a “competitive selection process,” resigning from his role in a similar chair at West Earth Sciences, where he’d been for almost a decade.

He cites his initial discussions with BRFN Councillor Linda Chipesia as “formal interviews.” Had he been made aware of the “governance issues” surrounding BRFN, the official writes he might have rethought his decision.

“I was not informed of the significant issues facing BRFN, nor of the extensive litigation involving Elders, councillors, external parties and the outgoing Chief,” said the memo dated November 9th.

“Though I do not believe this lack of transparency was intentional, had I been made aware, I might have re-considered.”

The CEO wrote that among the issues were a lack of communication with the BRFN council and $3 million in unaccounted-for money within the First Nation in 2024.

The official says that despite “considerable efforts” to engage with council members, they held their first meeting only on September 13th, during which they removed former Chief Judy Desjarlais.

A judicial review about Desjarlais’ leadership is currently before the courts. 

Other issues include the resistance to several internal audits conducted by BRR about joint venture partnerships.

The CEO says there was significant pushback from BRFN councillors, including Shelly Gauthier and Sherry Domenic.

He says after inquiring about BRFN’s relationship with Dawson Creek-based Triple J Pipelines, company manager Norma Pyle enlisted help attempting to terminate the CEO’s employment on November 7th. 

He says rental equipment transferred to Triple J Pipelines, worth around $2 million, has been wrongfully auctioned off, and BRFN is losing out on over $5,000 in rental costs daily.

In other audits, including one conducted on BRR’s relationship with Royal Camp, The CEO claims council simply told the company not to release financial statements to BRR.

A requested “interim support letter” aligning with band by-laws stating BRR was the economic voice for BRFN was signed by one councillor –  Linda Chepesia, according to the memo.

Numerous threats from councillors about “ripping up” further band council resolutions climaxed on October 21st, when the CEO received a letter notifying him of his impending termination if he did not “comply with certain demands.” 

Further communications with council have been ignored, he says says. 

“Our team has tracked unpaid sums to unpaid partnerships, but despite providing information, BRFN’s accounting department has failed to engage with us in verifying these amounts,” concludes the memo.

“Despite a band council resolution mandating BRR as the independent economic arm of BRFN, the resulting threats, intimidation and constructive dismissal tactics, are unacceptable.”

The CEO finishes the letter by stating the council has sought to destroy his character, asserting that claims he is paying Desjarlais’ legal bills and acting as an oil company agent are completely false.