Chiefs call for summit to consider removing SCO head

WINNIPEG — For the second time in a year, the leadership of Southern Chiefs’ Organization Grand Chief Jerry Daniels is being called into question.

A motion obtained by the Winnipeg Free Press calls “immediately” for a special summit of the 33 SCO chiefs to consider removing Daniels, who has been at the helm since 2017.

The Aug. 17 motion by Lake Manitoba First Nation Chief Cornell McLean and Bloodvein First Nation Chief Lisa Young cites concerns about “governance, leadership, accountability, transparency, organizational decision-making and confidence of member Nations in the … leadership of the organization.”

McLean would not provide specific examples Wednesday but said the “behaviour” of Daniels is a concern.

Last year, the Southeast Resource Development Council, which represents eight SCO member nations, called for a leadership review. It accused Daniels of violating the organization’s constitution by failing to consult the executive committee before signing a memorandum of understanding with the Manitoba Métis Federation. That deal was struck to partner on infrastructure and development projects while seeking greater involvement in initiatives led by senior levels of government.

Daniels was not made available for an interview Wednesday, but a prepared statement issued by the SCO said it respects the right of every chief to raise concerns, which can be addressed at the organization’s regular meetings held four times a year.

The next one is set for sometime in October.

“This provides all chiefs with the opportunity to consider the matter through the appropriate constitutional process, with proper notice, relevant information, and meaningful dialogue,” the statement said.

In a letter Tuesday responding to McLean’s request for an immediate leadership review, the SCO executive committee said the matter could be raised at the next summit. It cited a “practical rationale” for not holding a meeting with chiefs before then.

“Holding more than four summits per year involves significant costs and should therefore be reserved for exceptional circumstances,” the response stated. “In addition to time away from communities, the average financial cost of a two-day summit is approximately $115,000. Whether the circumstances justify these commitments and expenses is a decision for the chiefs-in-summit, made following appropriate notice, the provision of relevant information, and meaningful dialogue.”

Daniels, who was re-elected to a third term in 2024, has a mandate to serve until 2027. The SCO executive committee said removing him before the end of his term would require more than 50 per cent of SCO chiefs voting to replace him.

The organization said Wednesday that it is accountable to the 33 First Nations it represents, and that its annual reports and audited financial statements are posted online. It defended its work over the last decade, saying the SCO is advancing “some of the largest and most consequential initiatives undertaken on behalf of southern First Nations.”

That includes the redevelopment of the former Bay building in downtown Winnipeg into Wehwehneh Bahgahkinahgohn, a 373-unit housing complex with cultural, public and commercial spaces.

The SCO said it has advanced First Nations jurisdiction in essential services such as health care and pushed for a child and family services system that better reflects their needs with adequate funding.

“SCO recognizes that an organization undertaking work of this scale will face questions, disagreements, and differing views about its direction,” the statement said. “Those views deserve to be heard. The appropriate place to address matters concerning the governance and future direction of SCO is among the chiefs, through the processes established in the SCO constitution.”

It’s not the first time Daniels has dealt with controversy during his nine years in power.

After being hospitalized after a 2024 fight outside a bar in Ottawa, he apologized and took a leave of absence for alcohol use treatment. Daniels has also been entangled in a legal dispute over a multimillion-dollar land deal in east Winnipeg.

» Winnipeg Free Press