This story is the fifth and final part of an 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 five, Desjarlais shares a path forward view to help restore unity to the Nation.
“I think lawyers, media relations managers, consultants that are leading the Nation right now need to step aside and let the community heal,” says Desjarlais.
That sentiment of healing is shared by Desjarlais' aunt, Maryann Adekat, a retired community nurse and former BRFN council member. Although a critic of Desjarlais' leadership as Chief, Adekat highlights years of dysfunction within the Nation, starting with the Montney Settlement in 1998.
“Things changed so fast and also so negatively, everybody wants to be a Chief then, from—I would say from 2000 on—I think money changes everybody," said Adekat.
“They went out and splurged, and what followed was drugs and alcohol. The drug dealers started saying that, hey, these nations are coming with a lot of money,” says Desjarlais.
Adekat says money from the settlement was depleted by 2017, and things truly began to go ‘downhill’.
“There’s a lot of families that are all crowded into one place, there’s drug and alcohol on the reserve, and last year we had two elders that have broken hips... where is our health department?”
Adekat describes the Nation’s current divide as ‘sad’, attributing it to a small number of Apsassin elders and the former chief. She also challenges the notion that the Nation is run by outside entities.
“I don’t think there’s any truth to where Blueberry is run by lawyers. It’s the people—people like Judy, Joe Apsassin, Sandra Apsassin, and Clarence Apsassin—those are the four ringleaders,” said Adekat.
Desjarlais says being called a ringleader is wrong and misleading, adding that she’s long been vocal about trying to bring awareness to member concerns.
“Who is going to speak for the kids? Who’s going to speak for the future generations?” questions Desjarlais.
Adekat says what ‘destroyed’ Desjarlais’ leadership was a focus on economic issues as opposed to those in the community, and that a majority percentage of members no longer support her.
“She should drop her case and get on with her own life and let us and Blueberry start the healing process,” says Adekat.
Desjarlais says the real divide lies amongst the families entangled within an ‘old leadership regime’, and that support for her amongst the two Apsassin families, who make up a majority of the Nation, remains.
“We have an outside perspective telling us how we should operate, and how we should function. They’re feeding into the division mindset of the old leadership regime and the elders, the one-sided elders of the community who believe that the other elders don’t belong,” said Desjarlais.
She also highlighted a need for modernization while still ensuring heritage is honoured.
Seeing those traditions cherished is vital to her aunt, who wants to see future generations know the language and a way of life deep-rooted in tradition.
Despite conflicts that have transpired, Desjarlais expressed no animosity towards the band councillors who she says went behind her back to remove her from office.
“I really love the three councillors, and I really like hearing Wayne’s stories and, you know, Troy’s mother, I held her in the highest regard. She was a beautiful lady,” said Desjarlais.
A judicial review of her ousting as Chief is nearing the stage where they’ll soon find out the results.
“I hope that one day we can come back to the table and, you know, say our apologies and get on with life,” finished Desjarlais.