APTN National News
SASKATOON–Guy Lonechild, the embattled chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, has been suspended with pay until a final outcome is reached on a non-confidence motion against him, the organization said in a statement.
Lonechild has been under pressure to resign his position as chief of Saskatchewan’s main First Nations organization after he was convicted of drunk driving.
Lonechild also faced allegations he hid his drunk-driving charges from the chiefs who voted him in as the head of the FSIN.
Lonechild’s staff also faced suspension with pay.
FSIN vice-chief Morley Watson will be taking over as interim chief, the statement said.
The federation’s joint executive council along with the Indian Government Commission decided to suspend Lonechild and his political staff on Thursday.
A non-confidence motion against Lonechild is currently working its way through the organization’s system. A closed-door meeting will be held by the federation’s member chiefs on Sept 1 to discuss the motion.
“Now is the time that we as First Nations and communities pull together to support the FSIN and our collective inherent and treaty rights,” said Watson, in the statement.
The federation has represented Saskatchewan First Nations for 65 years, Watson said.
