Took Natuashish documents, former chief admits

A former chief in a Labrador Innu community admits he took documents from the band council office, but disputes the current chief's claim that receipts totalling more than $560,000 were stolen.

Prote Poker showed CBC News some of the documents he admits taking during a sit-in at the Natuashish band council office in January.

He and two other men face criminal charges that include mischief and theft.

Poker, a longtime critic of how the Natuashish band council is managing discretionary funds, said he took the documents to prove mismanagement.

"I've reported it to the RCMP but they did not investigate. Reported it to [the federal Department of] Indian Affairs and they didn't do anything. What else is there to do?" said Poker.

Poker said the documents show personal charges have been put on band council credit cards.

Poker used the federal Access to Information Act to obtain the latest band council audit, which showed serious problems with controls on how the band council spends its discretionary funds.

Auditors said, among other things, that a paper trail could not be found to back up about $560,000 in discretionary spending. It followed previous auditors' reports which expressed similar concerns.

Federal government officials decided not to investigate the band council, as federal receipts are accounted for properly. The auditors have raised concerns about how Natuashish councillors handled discretionary funds, including funds from a Voisey's Bay Nickel benefits agreement.

Chief Simon Pokue told CBC News earlier this month that the receipts to back up that spending were all stolen this winter.

Poker admits to taking documents from the council office, but said they don't add up to the amount that remains unaccounted for.

"I don't see that much here," Poker told CBC News.

Poker, who said he intends to turn over the documents to auditors, said he has no regrets about taking the documents. He said he believes it was the only way to try to find out how the council is spending its money.

Contacted by CBC News, Pokue said he would not comment on the case while it is before the courts.

Poker is expected to appear in court in the New Year to enter a plea.