by Mark Kiemele

Why Caroline Harry was elected as Malahat Nation’s first female chief in November, she expected to live up to her campaign promise of open and transparent leadership and restoring connections with other First Nations on the Saanich Pennisula.

She also expected to revisit the deal signed with Steelhead LNG over a floating gas facility adjacent to the recently purchased Bamberton industrial lands. Not to mention making up with neighbours in Shawnigan Lake over a contaminated soil dump.

But by early January, reality had set in for the 40-year mother of six. As she posed for a photograph at the band office, with Saanich Inlet in the background, she was at a loss for words.

“The whole LNG thing… we were backed into a corner,” she said of deals signed by the previous chief and council, all of whom resigned in August. “I am not authorized to meet or talk with anyone about it… I’ve also been told I cannot speak about the soil or I could be liable for $2 million.”

She spoke again to The Sentinel a week later, on the day she learned that senior staff had resigned and moved into a building at Bamberton where they would operate the Malahat Investment Corporation. “They said the corporation would operate at Bamberton on behalf of Malahat Nation.”

“The Chief of Malahat First Nation disputes comments in this story and has been offered an opportunity to provide clarification in the March edition of the Sentinel.”