SCO quietly removes grand chief’s photos, information on website after fight, hospitalization in Ottawa

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This article was published 06/12/2024 (322 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Southern Chiefs’ Organization is maintaining its silence despite mounting evidence it has replaced Grand Chief Jerry Daniels after he was hospitalized following an altercation outside a bar in downtown Ottawa this week.

The organization — one of the largest Indigenous political groups in Manitoba — has scrubbed nearly all references to Daniels from its website, and now lists Lake Manitoba First Nation Chief Cornell McLean as “acting grand chief” on its staff page.

On Thursday, pictures of Daniels were featured prominently on the website’s main page. They have since been removed.

A biography of Daniels detailing his history and accomplishments with the organization is also largely missing, except for a small excerpt.

McLean, who was questioned about the Ottawa incident by reporters during an unrelated news conference Friday, refused to comment.

“No comment. This is not about Jerry Daniels here,” he said.

Pushed further, McLean said the organization is “hoping” to put out an official statement regarding the leadership change on Dec. 10.

It is unclear whether Daniels’ removal is a permanent or temporary measure; multiple requests for comment to the organization’s communications team have gone unacknowledged and unanswered.

Multiple sources have told the Free Press Daniels was involved in an altercation with at least one other Manitoba First Nation band councillor early Tuesday morning.

Daniels was in Ottawa to attend the Assembly of First Nations special chief assembly, which unites Indigenous leaders from throughout the country.

The altercation happened just blocks from the Rogers Centre, where the assembly began Tuesday.

The Ottawa Police Service could not confirm the victim’s name, but said an ambulance was dispatched to the 1-100 block of York Street for reports of a “disturbance” just after 2:30 a.m.

“We can advise that no charge has been laid and the call for service was related to an assault. The matter remains under investigation and as such, no further details will be released at this time,” a police spokesperson said Friday.

The police service previously said one man was transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

It does not appear that Daniels is still being treated in hospital. Staff at the Ottawa, Queensway-Carleton and Montfort hospitals said he is not listed as a patient.

SCO has provided no update on his condition.

Karl Zadnik, chief executive officer for the Interlake Reserves Tribal Council, which hosted Friday’s unrelated news conference, chided reporters questioning McLean about Daniels.

“To those that are asking questions, can you please just keep them to the Jordan’s Principle funding issue that we are having? Any other discussions for any other issues — this is not the appropriate time, please. Thank you,” he said.

Requests for comment to the leaders of several SCO member First Nations have either been declined or gone unanswered. Some of Manitoba’s other major Indigenous political organizations and the Assembly of First Nations also have not responded.

Daniels, who was elected for a third term as grand chief in June, represents more than 87,000 people in 33 southern Manitoba First Nations.

His organization is involved in a $200-million development project to transform the former Hudson’s Bay Co. building in downtown Winnipeg. Construction on the 655,000 square foot building is currently underway. When complete, it will feature more than 300 affordable housing units, assisted living and a health centre.

tyler.searle@freepress.mb.ca