This story is the first of a five-part interview series where CJDC-TV sat down with former Blueberry River First Nation’s (BRFN) Chief Judy Desjarlais to discuss the challenges faced by the First Nation.
In part one, Desjarlais talks about being ousted as Chief in September of last year, after an independent investigation alleged she engaged in conduct that violated the Nation’s bylaws.
“I grew up in an era where we were poor but we were rich because we lived off the land,” says Judy Desjarlais, who adorns traditional jewelry as she speaks fondly of BRFN members and the elders who helped usher her into the Nation’s top position in 2022.
Just a year earlier, a historic Supreme Court decision declared that the province had breached BRFN’s Treaty 8 Rights by authorizing development over traditional land for ‘many years.’ The decision culminated in a controversial yet ground-breaking Implementation Agreement in January of 2023, which provided the framework for collaboration on resource, economic, and cultural development, along with environmental protections.
With it came measures including a $200 million restoration fund, limits on new oil and gas development, a new planning regime for approvals, and 650,000 hectares of protected land. The Nation also received a financial package of $87.5 million over three years, PNG revenue-sharing, and provincial royalty revenues.
However, many within the Nation, among them elders, now say that progress has led the BRFN to become a “lawyer-run nation,” leading to a range of issues that suggests the band may be tearing at the seams.
Among the issues is the ousting of Desjarlais.
“I’m being held responsible under allegations that are not true, and pretty much being held accountable for doing my job—I wasn’t there for myself; I was there for the people, and the people should have a say,” said Desjarlais.
In September of last year, the BRFN confirmed in a statement that she had been ousted from her role by council, after they said she engaged in conduct that violated the Nation’s bylaws.
“The in-camera was held in secret from the members who have a right to know what was going on in the Nation, and they should’ve had a say in my removal—it caused confusion and a lot of turmoil within the community,” said Desjarlais.
The conduct in question included oil and gas permits granted to Petronas during her tenure. The investigation alleged she approved three permits for development on traditional land without proper consultation. However, she insists that trap lines and Treaty Rights were not infringed upon by the decision and defended granting the permits in July of 2023.
“I didn’t bring any harm to the Nation,” says Desjarlais. “What I did bring is trying to find a solution forward in terms of truth and reconciliation and trying to find a balance between working with the government, and industry while protecting and finding balance within traditional cultural practices in our territory.”
She adds that the permits created employment opportunities and brought in nearly $54 million to the Nation. That includes to Blu-Water LP, a company partially owned by Councillor Wayne Yahey, according to Desjarlais.
BRFN alleges she had falsely claimed in letters, dated July 7th and 25th, to the BC Energy Regulator that she was speaking ‘on behalf of the council’ and that they had been consulted on the matter.
Additionally, she was said to be in a conflict of interest by using her position to secure contracting work for Top Notch Oilfield Contracting, a company she co-owns. Desjarlais denied any claims of conflict of interest with her company, stating that she stepped away from her role to focus solely on being Chief.
The Nation reaffirmed its commitment to fairness, accountability, and governance principles in a statement on her removal on September 17.
“Even the highest positions within our community are subject to these rules, and this is crucial in maintaining trust and confidence with our members, stakeholders, and partners as we move forward,” said Councillor Sherry Dominic.
A federal court judicial review of the decision is currently underway.
“As First Nations people, we should be holding each other up and trying to figure out a way forward, and right now, what I see within my own community is the people suffering and at a standstill,” said Desjarlais.
Tomorrow, we will take a closer look at the oil and gas contracts central to Desjarlais' removal as Chief.