Former Chief Challenges Sioux Valley Election Results in Court

UPDATE: Former chief of the Sioux Valley Dakota Nation, Vince Tacan, has launched an urgent legal challenge to overturn the results of the recent chief and council elections. Tacan filed a motion in the Court of King’s Bench in Winnipeg on November 27, 2023, seeking to invalidate the election of Jennifer Bone, who won by a significant margin of 371 votes to 212.

This court action arises from a contentious election held on November 14-15, prompting community unrest and an RCMP response. Tacan’s legal team, led by Winnipeg lawyer Jamie Kagan, is pushing to declare the election null and void during a hearing scheduled for January 5, 2024. “We hope the court will order a new election,” Kagan stated in a brief interview.

The challenge centers around procedural disputes regarding the election process. Bone was declared the winner after a tumultuous voting period that included a controversial switch of electoral officers mid-process. A group of local elders allegedly acted without authority to terminate the original election officer, Burke Ratte, and appoint a replacement to oversee the vote count.

Bone, named as a defendant in the case, emphasized the importance of respecting the Sioux Valley Dakota Nation’s self-governance. “Our nation has its own laws, governance structures, and election processes, and those processes were followed,” she asserted.

Tacan’s legal bid complicates an already fraught situation. The legal documents indicate that both Tacan and Ratte have filed affidavits supporting the challenge. Meanwhile, Bone maintains that the replacement of Ratte was justified under the nation’s constitution, citing breaches of contract on Ratte’s part.

In a statement issued on November 21, the Sioux Valley Dakota Nation confirmed the legitimacy of the election process, asserting that the actions taken were in line with their constitutional provisions. However, the fallout from the election has raised questions about governance and authority within the community.

Adding to the complexity, Tacan faces serious legal issues of his own. Days before the election, he was charged with sexual assault related to an incident from 1984 involving a minor. This raises further questions about his eligibility to serve, which Bone has highlighted in her defense.

As the January hearing approaches, the outcome could have significant implications for the governance of the Sioux Valley Dakota Nation. The new council under Bone continues to oversee governmental affairs, but the court’s decision could either uphold or dismantle the current leadership structure.

Community members are watching closely as the legal battle unfolds, with emotions running high. Residents are eager to see how the court will address the disputed election and what it means for the future of leadership within the Sioux Valley Dakota Nation.

Stay tuned as we monitor this developing story and provide updates on the January court proceedings.