The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) will not appoint a formal leader until a new one is elected next month.
Administration will instead continue day-to-day operations under Executive Operating Officer Dawn Walker.
The decision came after a special marathon meeting Wednesday between The Joint Indian Government Commission and Executive Council that was sparked by a public power struggle between two executives who both claimed the title of interim chief.
Earlier in the week, First Vice Chief Kimberly Jonathan laid claim to the title of interim chief for the election period ending on Oct.25.
That contradicted a Tuesday press release from official FSIN communications saying Fourth Vice Chief Heather Bear was the interim chief.
Jonathan and Bear were citing different parts of the Executive Act in claiming title of interim chief.
Jonathan was under the impression the first vice chief assumed the role of interim chief if they’re not up for re-election themselves, while the FSIN stated in its press release “The F SIN Executive Act dictates that a Vice Chief whose position is currently open for election cannot be ‘Interim Chief.’”
The issue devolved further when Jonathon told Saskatchewan Afternoon she had been locked out of her office computer and email accounts.
Police were called to the FSIN headquarters in Saskatoon on Monday to “keep the peace in an internal dispute” before Wednesday’s special meeting to address internal staffing matters.