Sioux Valley chief stands ground
SIOUX VALLEY DAKOTA NATION — Chief Vince Tacan appeared before a crowd of protesters Friday afternoon and told them that he would not comply with their demand that he resign.
“I’m going to say right now that I’m not stepping down,” Tacan told the crowd of about two dozen people.
“We had a meeting yesterday the council decided they are not stepping down — they said they are not going to be bullied into stepping down.”
Sioux Valley Dakota Nation Chief Vince Tacan addresses members of the group that calls itself the Concerned Members of Sioux Valley outside the administrative office on Friday. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)
Prior to the chief’s appearance, an RCMP vehicle and a First Nation Safety Officer vehicle patrolled outside the Oyate’ Omnic’iya Tipi building for about an hour as a group that calls itself the Concerned Members of Sioux Valley waited for the chief.
The group had called for Tacan’s resignation by 4 p.m., asserting that he is violating the constitution by skipping community meetings.
Leading up to the chief’s appearance, an argument between two crowd members gave rise to the mention of machetes and one person being escorted away from the crowd.
“I don’t want anybody to get hurt here,” Tacan said when he approached the crowd outside the office. “I’ll make a statement.”
After insisting that he would not step down, the chief said members needed to refocus.
“Today we should be thinking about passing a child and family services law for our kids. Instead, it’s about everything else. We’re trying to bring kids back to our community. In three weeks time we have a vote — that should be our focus,” he said.
Sioux Valley Dakota Nation Chief Vince Tacan briefly addresses a group of residents calling for him to step down as chief outside the Oyate’ Omnic’iya Tipi governance building in the community on Friday. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)
“We need to look at our priorities. Kids are our priorities. We got kids in group homes right now, wanting to come home. That should be our focus.”
The speech ended with two members of the concerned group questioning Tacan, and the two sides speaking over each other. Tacan ended by saying he was not going to get into an argument.
“I’m not getting into a political debate. I’m not resigning. I’m sorry you guys don’t like it, but there’s other people that voted.”
After addressing the crowd, Tacan left, and an RCMP vehicle entered the parking lot before Tacan walked to his vehicle and drove off the property.
Oswald McKay, 72, said the single reason that the protest took place was that Tacan has not been attending community meetings, which are required for the chief under the Sioux Valley constitution. In an interview after the protest, he said that “nothing positive happened here,” and that “the future looks bleak.”
McKay said he plans to continue to protest.
Oswald McKay of Sioux Valley Dakota Nation speaks to members of the protest group on Friday. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)
Harold Blacksmith, a member of the concerned citizen group, told the Sun that he wants transparency in how the First Nation is spending its money. Blacksmith said that by not participating in community meetings, Tacan and council are being unaccountable to the public.
Blacksmith said he believes more accountability is warranted for how the band is spending money. He also said there have been unacceptable delays on the school lunch program.
Later speaking to the Sun, Tacan responded by saying that documents such as the Annual Report are available online, and the band is having an audit done. He said that he feels the criticism is directed toward him rather than governance policy, and said part of the opposition was stirred up by recent legal actions.
Sioux Valley Dakota Nation filed a lawsuit last month against consultant Phillip Grey & Company Ltd and three former employees — two who worked in information technology and the former information governance director. The lawsuit alleges that the group conspired to defraud the community’s administration and then cover their tracks, costing the band more than $500,000. None of the claims have been proven in court.
Tacan told the Sun he has spent five months working to restore information that he said was deleted by former employees.
Blacksmith and McKay told the Sun the only reasons they are protesting are related to transparency, community and accountability. The two previously signed on to a letter to chief and council saying they are concerned about misuse of funds, and lack of updates on projects such as a new school, an Indigenous policing detachment and housing.
Harold Blacksmith tries to ask questions of Sioux Valley Dakota Nation Chief Vince Tacan as Tacan briefly addresses a group of residents calling for Tacan to step down as chief outside the Oyate’ Omnic’iya Tipi governance building in the community on Friday. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)
The protest group plans to meet on Sunday to discuss next steps.
» cmcdowell@brandonsun.com
