02.18.05

The Western Star

Once again, the community of Natuashish has come under the intense glare of the media spotlight.
The Mushua Innu may have chosen an incredibly remote site to establish their reserve, but not far enough to avoid public scrutiny.
There are a number of troubling issues arising from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s continued coverage of the rumored misappropriation of funds. First and foremost, the moral fervor with which they’re pursuing these allegations has created a kangaroo court atmosphere where the band council is accused, tried and found guilty in the space of a radio or television news segment.
If money has been illegally siphoned out of the band council’s account then someone needs to be held accountable.
But in all this, the role of the Innu Nation and the powers it’s been granted to investigate and deal with the problem has either been downplayed or outright ignored.
Admittedly, the tripartite agreement between the federal, provincial and aboriginal governments is murky legal territory at the best of times. But shouldn’t the CBC reporters be demanding an investigation from Innu Nation officials rather than going to Ottawa — where, it should be noted, most politicians don’t want to touch this issue with a 10-foot pole.
We shouldn’t forget that the almost $160 million Davis Inlet resettlement program was intend to promote healing in the community.
Throwing out allegations of band council members appropriating money for illegal drug and liquor purchases can’t be doing much to help the community heal.
The media has a duty to report stories just like this one, but is obligated to deal with serious issues in a fair and balanced manner.
So far, the Gardner Coombs audit of funds received from sources apart from the federal government is the only one to have revealed any problems.
At least the Innu Nation and Natuashish Band Council accounting is open to public scrutiny.
We shouldn’t forget the treasury board is still insulating the CBC’s lavish expenditures from public view unlike most other crown corporations.

Note: After three months, the RCMP investigation still hasn’t revealed any wrongdoing and the CBC has yet to follow up on the story.