Statement on Behalf of Deputy Grand Chief Narcisse

Statement on Behalf of a Client

For immediate release: April 15, 2025

Judson Howie LLP has been retained by Deputy Grand Chief Bobby Narcisse in respect of the investigation alleging violations of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Executive Code of Conduct.

Our client denies that any of the allegations made against him have any merit or amount to more than a political attack orchestrated to sideline him and silence his sincere concern for the proper, accountable, and transparent governance of NAN.

This complaint appears to be in reprisal for Deputy Grand Chief Narcisse’s expressed concerns that appropriate governance protocols are not being followed and that the NAN executive is taking steps without any mandate from the NAN chiefs (which is normally formalized by resolution of a chiefs’ assembly).

Our client is a duly-elected leader and a director of the NAN corporation who, at all times, has been exercising his fiduciary duties. In a democratic organization, leadership figures are free to disagree – and often do – about various organizational changes, advocacy positions, or policy. It is unfortunate that this public complaint has been contrived to sanction those who dissent or raise good faith concerns about important governance issues impacting all of the NAN communities.

Deputy Grand Chief Narcisse has nothing to hide. He intends to fully cooperate with any properly constituted, fair, and independent investigation. The complaint notice he has received is anything but. It presupposes a finding of misconduct before an investigation has even occurred. We have raised those concerns with NAN’s Governance Committee in order to ensure that these issues can be resolved in a fair and transparent process that all concerned parties have confidence in.

As it appears that many of the matters at issue relate to governance roles and responsibilities, Deputy Grand Chief Narcisse has also offered to mediate these differences rather than have them become a public distraction from the important work of the NAN communities and their leadership.

Deputy Grand Chief Narcisse is continuing to perform his duties within the parameters specified by the complaint notice he received. All communications or inquiries related to this matter can be directed to the contact identified below.

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Contact:

Douglas W. Judson

Email: doug@judsonhowie.ca