The two Squamish Nation elected officials at the centre of an RCMP investigation into $1.5 million in missing band money have now been suspended.
"Council is also considering further action with respect to the elected positions held by Krisandra Jacobs and Glen Newman and we have suspended both elected officials from their positions for the period of our deliberations," stated a press release dated Nov. 24 from Squamish Nation Chiefs and Council.
"We must follow due process in whatever we do and ensure that our actions are carried out in such a way that any risks to Squamish Nation are minimized."
The suspensions are just the latest in the scandal enveloping the First Nations community this year, which began with an investigation into money in the Emergency Services funds. That investigation found improper recordkeeping and allegedly $1.5 million in missing money.
"I don't think that's (the suspensions) enough," said community member Beverly Brown. "Membership already voted. It's our custom. Our custom is to remove them (the elected officials), via the vote, and we've done it (the vote) twice."
The initial internal investigation has now morphed into a RCMP investigation.
The release states: "The RCMP have already cautioned us that this will not be a speedy process. Once we know more about their process and timeline, we will provide a further update to our membership."
Brown said community members are pushing for more financial transparency.
She called the information made public to date "too vague to be meaningful."
"We're asking the right questions, we're just not able to get the right answers."
