'A SCHMOZZLE'

Hobbema Election In Dispute

Months of legal wrangling over an election at Samson Cree First
Nation in Hobbema has left the band council in limbo and the community divided.

At issue is the band's May 2005 council election.

Those appealing the election on the reserve, 87 km south of Edmonton,
say dozens of community members were allowed to vote after the polls closed.

They're also protesting the documented fact that one of the elected
councillors has previous criminal convictions for drug- and
firearm-related offences and therefore shouldn't have been allowed to run.

But supporters say there were about 300 voters still waiting in line
to vote when the polls closed at 6 p.m. and they had every right to vote.

Supporters also argue that band councillor Larron Northwest --
convicted in 1998 of possession of marijuana and unsafe storage of
firearms, according to court records -- was eligible to run because
he had been granted a traditional pardon.

"It's a schmozzle. It has become a real mess," said Mel H. Buffalo,
Hobbema spokesman and head of the Indian Association of Alberta.

"I think the council has to dissolve and call for a new election. If
that doesn't happen, it could get tied up in court for God knows how long."

Many are also calling for changes to election laws on the reserve so
that a similar election fiasco doesn't happen again, Buffalo said,
also suggesting that more polling stations should be opened for
future elections.

The disputed election, which has faced a series of appeals within the
past 17 months, remains before the courts.

Councillors, who could be forced by a judge to re-do the election,
are meeting this month to discuss their next move, said Buffalo.

Hobbema RCMP Const. Darrel Bruno, one of two band members appealing
the election, was reached Sunday, but he said his lawyer has
instructed him not to comment.

The election didn't involve Chief Victor Buffalo.