Chief Elaine Auger of the Kátł’odeeche First Nation says she is resigning over concerns about how other officials have acted, describing some issues as ignored or minimized.
Auger was elected in late 2024. In a statement published by the First Nation, she said her last day in office will be Friday this week.
Setting out her reasons for stepping down, Auger made a range of allegations related to broader governance of the First Nation.
“I cannot, in good conscience, participate in a system where serious concerns about workplace conduct, harassment, conflicts of interest, intimidation or disrespect are raised but are not addressed with the consistency and accountability that our Code of Conduct and our leadership oaths require,” Auger wrote.
She said an elected official was accused of sexual harassment – she did not name anyone involved – and suggested that while due process was required, concerns could not be “ignored, minimized or allowed to continue indefinitely without appropriate action.”
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Auger added she was “deeply concerned” at the level of verbal abuse directed at the First Nation’s chief executive officer and other employees, including, she said, from other staff.
“Being an Elder or holding a respected position within our community does not place anyone above accountability. Elders, Chiefs, Councillors, employees and community members must all be held to standards that protect the dignity and safety of others,” she wrote.
“Our Dene values should never be used to silence women, intimidate vulnerable people, excuse inappropriate conduct or prevent legitimate concerns from being addressed.”
The details of the various incidents to which Auger referred were not immediately known and could not be corroborated.
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“I cannot continue to hold the office of Chief while witnessing circumstances that, in my view, are inconsistent with the standards of integrity, accountability and respect that I believe leadership requires,” she wrote.
“I will not participate in abusing, intimidating or undermining staff or community members. I will not accept a culture where women are expected to remain silent when they experience disrespect or harassment. And I will not compromise my own integrity simply to remain in a position of leadership.”
Auger and the First Nation’s chief executive officer could not be immediately reached by phone following the statement’s publication.
KFN is meanwhile preparing to host next week’s Dene National Assembly.
