Eight SCO communities call for non-confidence vote on Grand Chief Jerry Daniels’ leadership

An organization representing eight member communities within the Southern Chiefs’ Organization is calling for a meeting to hold a non-confidence vote against Grand Chief Jerry Daniels, alleging he breached the association’s constitution by signing a memorandum of understanding with the Manitoba Métis Federation last week.

The Southeast Resource Development Council — representing Berens River, Black River, Bloodvein, Brokenhead, Hollow Water, Little Grand Rapids, Pauingassi and Poplar River First Nations — says Daniels failed to consult the executive committee, as required under summit resolutions.

“We are not opposed to the MOU or any other agreements that have been properly vetted through the SCO Chiefs-in-Summit or Chiefs Assembly,” a statement posted to SERDC’s website said.

“We are opposed to the continued lack of respect to our SCO Chiefs and the blatant disregard to SCO Constitutional procedure not being followed by our Grand Chief. The SCO was founded on the basis of working together to advance our issues and interests collectively.

“We observe this organization is continuing down a path that is not reflective of the rights holders we represent and must be addressed. It is imperative that this organization gets back on track.”

The SCO, which represents 32 Anishinaabe and Dakota First Nations and more than 87,000 citizens in southern Manitoba, declined to comment Monday.

But a source close to the organization said the SCO is aware of the letter, and SCO’s chief executive committee has reached out to the SERDC and requested a formal meeting.

The dispute follows last Wednesday’s announcement that SCO and MMF would partner on infrastructure and development projects while seeking greater involvement in initiatives led by federal and provincial governments.

Daniels and MMF president David Chartrand signed the MOU at The Forks — a traditional gathering place for Indigenous Peoples — with the stated goal of advancing economic reconciliation and protecting Indigenous rights and the environment.

“We are forging a path toward economic independence and sustainability, ensuring the voices of First Nations and Red River Métis are integral to the design, approval and implementation of nation-building projects across this province,” Daniels told reporters.

A spokesperson for the MMF said Monday they wouldn’t comment on matters internal to SCO.

In a letter to Daniels, signed by the eight First Nations’ chiefs and posted to SERDC’s website Monday, the council called for an immediate Chiefs-in-Summit to put his leadership to a non-confidence vote.

“The SERDC Chiefs had no knowledge of this arrangement, we were not provided a copy and have not seen a copy of this document,” the letter said, referring to the MOU.

Daniels, first elected SCO grand chief in 2017 and re-elected to a historic third term in 2024, has faced controversy since late last year, when he was hospitalized following an altercation outside an Ottawa bar on Dec. 3.

Multiple sources told the Free Press that Daniels, along with at least one member of a Manitoba First Nation, was involved in the incident. He later apologized, took a leave of absence to seek treatment for alcohol use, and returned to office in January.

He is also entangled in a legal dispute over a multimillion-dollar land deal in east Winnipeg. Court filings from November 2023 to August 2024 detail litigation between the Southern Chiefs Economic Development Corp., Daniels and a Manitoba-registered private company.

The numbered company, which filed a countersuit, accused Daniels of defaulting on a personal loan and claimed he could “influence the progress” of the $20-million land deal if repayment was pursued.

scott.billeck@freepress.mb.ca