Moosomin Chief stripped of title

Chief Elliott Kahpeaysewat of Moosomin First Nation has been stripped of his title.

In an email to CTV News, Aboriginal Affairs said the First Nation’s January election was appealed on allegations that Chief Kahpeaysewat paid a number of band members for their voters. An independent investigation found evidence to support the claim.

A by-election isn’t mandatory because the vacant position doesn’t affect the council’s ability to for a quorum.

A new bill, the First Nations Elections Act, is now in front of parliament. Aboriginal Affairs believes it will address some of the long-standing issues in the Indian Act.

The chief and council could not be reached for comment.