Liard First Nation Chief Stephen Charlie responds to criticism amid calls to resign

In the wake of repeated protests and calls for him to step down, the chief of Liard First Nation is defending the dismantling of a community language program.

Chief Stephen Charlie said the creation of the language program did not follow proper procedure. 

"This program never went by chief and council." he said. "I found out through a media release that we'd gotten that funding."

The program's end sparked people involved with it to launch Dene Ā́' Nezen — meaning "respect" in Kaska — a group that has been organizing protests against Charlie and calling for him to step down. Aside from the language program, the group has also expressed concern that Charlie has failed to hold a general assembly for three years.

The group's latest protest took place last week outside the First Nation's executive offices. About a dozen people attended, mostly former language school staff. The Aboriginal Women's Society and Daylu Dena Council sent letters of support.

Charlie said some elders felt the program was not serving the wider community — and that holding a general assembly has been postponed while the nation's finances are brought under control.

Diana Lee Jimmy (Tseskį̄ze) and Emeral Poppe (Dōgalá, Gūzā́gī̄ Kī́'ī́hłamā), who helped organize the protest and who formerly worked for the First Nation's language department, were let go shortly after criticizing Charlie's leadership in an interview with CBC. They say the program had secured five years of funding from Heritage Canada and was working on a 10-year strategic plan when it was shut down unexpectedly.

"To just do that with no communication — we asked to meet afterwards, and they ignored us," said Lee Jimmy.

Elder Agnes Chief, who also attended the protest, said no explanation was given when the program was closed. "They were doing really good, and now look how long it's been, over a year," she said.

Protesters allege the locks were changed on the language office building, locking them out and leaving some personal belongings inside.

A petition to remove Charlie has gathered more than 250 signatures. To be successful, it must reach 527 — half the voting-age membership, plus one. 

Charlie and some elders who support him contest the petition, saying some of the signatories did not know what they were signing. 

Chief and some elders say program needed restructuring

For the language program, Charlie said the way program participants were chosen excluded some members of the broader community.

"Where's the openness, transparency and availability of the program for all our members?" said Charlie.

He said some elders felt they weren't adequately consulted during the program's development.

Elder Cathy Wolftail supports the changes. "If a program is not meeting the needs of the majority of people, then you go back to the drawing board," she said. "Some members may not be happy about it, but then who's happy about any kind of restructuring?"

Wolftail said she was disappointed in how the former staff responded.

"I think it's fear. Fear-minded and just feeling like, you know, they feel threatened. And they shouldn't have to feel threatened."

She added that funding for the program is still available and the door remains open to former teachers.

"I was hoping one of the young people would have grabbed the ball," she said.

Wolftail and Charlie said a new language program is being developed, with elders playing a larger role this time.

As a former residential school student, Wolftail said revitalization must be rooted in community. 

"If we bring someone in from outside, we need to have our own people training immediately so that if that person leaves, our people will still be here to carry it on."

Elder Mary Porter agrees. "We have elders that can rotate and teach. We don't need somebody that's non-First Nation teaching our people," Porter said.

Charlie said the new plan includes weekly time off for staff to focus on language learning.

No general assembly in three years

Protesters also raised concerns about the lack of a general assembly, which is usually held annually, to review leadership priorities and financials.

Charlie said the delay stems from poor financial management that he inherited when he was elected in 2020. 

"The administration and organization were in total calamity," he said. "Now, by the end of September, we'll have all our audits up to date for the first time in our history. That's when we'll call a General Assembly."

According to reporting by APTN, there were 103 financial reports as of January that the First Nation had failed to file with the federal government, as well as six audits between 2019 to 2024, that resulted in the government withholding $5.2 million in funding.

Lee Jimmy points out there's only been one general assembly during Charlie's two terms as chief, and that he regularly refuses to meet with the full elected council. 

She also points out Daylu Dena Council, a sub-council of Liard based in Lower Post, B.C. held their own general assembly last week.