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NEWS RELEASE · 5th May 2012
FORMER CHIEF PLEADS GUILTY TO DEFRAUDING BAND
Betty Ann Adam, Postmedia News
The former chief of the Mosquito First Nation has pleaded guilty to defrauding the band of more than $5,000 in Treaty Land Entitlement trust funds.

Clarence Stone, 59, was silent in the prisoner's box Friday in Saskatoon Court of Queen's Bench as his lawyer entered a guilty plea during a brief hearing.

Stone remains free as he awaits a sentencing hearing June 28 in Battleford, Sask.

Two former trustees of the TLE fund were jailed after they pleaded guilty to criminal breach of trust in the same matter.

Alphonse Peter Moosomin, 62, and Eldon Starchief, 55, were sentenced in December 2010 to a year in jail and two years' probation for their roles in the 2002 crime.

Charges against Clifford Lawrence Spyglass, a band councillor, and former TLE trustee Gerald Arthur Bird, 59, are still before the courts. Both are charged with theft, fraud and criminal breach of trust.

Spyglass, 49, also is charged with forgery and uttering a forged document.

The charges result from a five-year investigation by members of the Saskatoon RCMP commercial crime section and the North Battleford detachment.

The North Battleford-area band, whose full name is Mosquito, Grizzly Bear's Head, Lean Man First Nation, was paid $9.6 million as part of the 1992 TLE agreement, which compensated 33 Saskatchewan First Nations for land they'd been owed since the signing of the treaties.

The moneys were placed in trust accounts and were to be used to buy land and, if a band chose, to invest in economic development projects.

The Mosquito First Nation was required to purchase at least 8,132 hectares to add to its reserve, but the fund has been exhausted without meeting the requirement.

View the Article Here
Maggie Jo.
Comment by Janice Robinson on 7th May 2012
Some of us are right here. I think many will be at the rally. INAC, and many "chiefs and councils" do their best to ignore and invalidate genuine Simoighets/Sigdmhana'as. My Mother always said, "We are who we are." I think that applies to everyone. Aama sah.

Whii Nea ach.
Eagle. Waap Gitxon.
????
Comment by MaggieJo Johnson on 6th May 2012
And WHERE are these so called "Chiefs" who are suppposed to be protecting their people?!

Are their faces on milk jugs in "a la missing style"?

If so, I'll buy TONS of milk jugs as a result in efforts to locate them.

Please
Comment by James Ippel on 6th May 2012
Would someone explain to me what" INAC" stands for. My mind (sometimers setting in) is drawing a blank on this one.
From the article here is is blatantly clear that the Mosquito etc, ect, First Nation was paid $9.6 million but depleted the fund without purchasing the 8,000+ hectares required. Maybe someone would explain where this money went. Is there no accoutability when certain members of our society are involved>??????

Ed Note: INAC, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada - - - Now the Government is attempting to change it to (have changed it to) AANDC Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada.
Dear First Nations Citizen
Comment by Terrace Daily News on 6th May 2012
Very seldom is an elected INAC Chief a Hereditary Chief. Sometimes it happens, but very unusual. An INAC Chief is beholden to the Federal Government where a Hereditary Chief is Beholden to his or her people, the Indians.

It is a serious problem when this most basic of knowledge is not understood even by Indians.

The term Chief is being used deceptively by INAC, and has been for many decades. The elected Indian or Band head should be called Mayor or Chairman. Chief should be used (reserved) only for true hereditary Chiefs, those responsible for the welfare of their nation.
Hmmmm....
Comment by MaggieJo Johnson on 6th May 2012
Interesting...
First Nation citizen
Comment by kwi'lhye on 6th May 2012
Question of clarification re: I have been asking of written and virbal media and other oppertunities when arrises - When you mention "The former chief of the Misquito First Nation ..... " are you referring to an elected Department of Indian Affairs position or an Hereditary Chief of that Nation?

Still to date I have not had any clarification from the media or others of their clarification. Here in the 21st century in the world of political correctness I believe that there must be clarification of who and their correct title without ambigous thought for the First Nation Citizens and Canadians who read the story.

In closing I hope and pray that this court decission will set president to each and every Department of Indian Affairs elected Chief Counsellor and/or counsellor across the country if there is a guilty. decission.