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Police intervention sought in Friendship Centre dispute

At 9 a.m. this morning, police will be asked to intervene in a dispute between two groups, both claiming to be the lawful board of directors of the Sault's Indian Friendship Centre.
FriendshipCentre

At 9 a.m. this morning, police will be asked to intervene in a dispute between two groups, both claiming to be the lawful board of directors of the Sault's Indian Friendship Centre.

A 10-member board elected at a public meeting on Monday is planning to gather at the Sault Ste. Marie Police Services building to lay a complaint of mischief against the other group.

Meeting at a private residence last night, the board decided to ask elders and other members of the aboriginal community to join them Wednesday morning in laying the complaint.

They will tell police that the Friendship Centre's board was formally dissolved at a public meeting this week, but the old board is jeopardizing the health and wellbeing of the community by refusing to allow the new board to assume its responsibilities.

Police escort to be sought

They're also expected to ask for a police escort this morning to the Friendship Centre at 122 East Street.

On Monday night, a group of elders voted 16-1 to dissolve the old board. They say they have a legal opinion that a two-thirds majority of elders can force a nonconfidence motion.

For SooToday's account of Monday's meeting, click here.

The newly formed board, headed by Joe Nolan, wanted to meet at 8 p.m. last night in the Friendship Centre but was denied access.

Invited members don't show for 7 p.m. meeting

However, the original board, headed by William Bellerose, was in the building at 7 p.m., waiting to meet eight individuals who had expressed concerns about their management of the facility.

None of the eight individuals showed up for that meeting and the doors were locked afterward.

The original board does not recognize the newly formed board as legitimate, claiming that it doesn't comply with Ontario's Corporations Act.

Last month, Bellerose refused a request by the eight individuals to call a general membership meeting, pointing out that 21 signatures were required for that to happen.

Director resigns last night

One director on the original board, Gayle Ouellette, was elected to the new board on Monday night.

Last night, Ouellette advised Bellerose she was resigning from the original board. After the 7 p.m. meeting ended, Ouellette proceeded to the 8 p.m. meeting of the new board at a private home.

Original board stands firm

Bellerose said last night that he'd heard rumours that he and the rest of his board were going to resign, but said they were untrue.

Other members of the original board said that the allegations against the Friendship Centre were similarly untrue, but they are prevented from properly defending themselves by confidentiality rules. Smudging ceremony planned to cleanse building

If Nolan's group gains access to the Friendship Centre today, one of its first actions is expected to be a smudging ceremony, in which smoke will be used to cleanse the premises of negative spirits.

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David Helwig

About the Author: David Helwig

David Helwig's journalism career spans seven decades beginning in the 1960s. His work has been recognized with national and international awards.
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