FROG LAKE – A date has been set for the hearing into a formal complaint seeking the removal of Frog Lake First Nation Chief Greg Desjarlais.

The Frog Lake First Nation Election Appeals Committee issued a new notice Tuesday, Sept. 1, confirming the hearing will take place Saturday, Sept. 19 at 10 a.m. at the Frog Lake Field House.

The hearing will be public and open to all members of Frog Lake First Nation.

The matter stems from a formal removal complaint submitted by Frog Lake First Nation member Melantha Abraham and referred to the Election Appeals Committee on Aug. 25.

Abraham is listed as the complainant in the proceeding, while Chief Gregory Desjarlais is the respondent.

According to the committee’s earlier notice, the grounds of the complaint concern the use of Frog Lake First Nation funds under section 11.1(a)(ii) of the Frog Lake First Nation Election Code.

The Appeals Committee is responsible for hearing the evidence and ultimately determining whether to grant or dismiss the removal complaint against Desjarlais.

The Sept. 1 notice provides additional details about how that hearing will proceed.

Both Abraham and Desjarlais may submit evidence to the Appeals Committee, call and cross-examine witnesses, and make submissions during the hearing.

Frog Lake First Nation members who want to participate beyond attending the public hearing, including by presenting their own evidence or making submissions, must formally apply to intervene.

The deadline to submit an application to intervene is Friday, Sept. 4 at 5 p.m. Members seeking additional information about that process can contact Appeal Committee Chair Tanner Stanley.

Abraham originally submitted the removal complaint on July 25. In the complaint, she requested that the process outlined under section 11 of the Election Code be followed regarding concerns about Desjarlais and an ongoing forensic investigation previously acknowledged by Frog Lake First Nation.

Abraham also made clear in her complaint that the existence of an investigation does not itself establish wrongdoing and said her intention was not to presume guilt or predetermine the outcome.

Desjarlais has previously challenged his suspension through Federal Court and has maintained that the proper process under the Frog Lake First Nation Election Code must be followed.

The Sept. 19 hearing represents the next step in that process.

No determination has been made on the allegations against Desjarlais. After the hearing, the Election Appeals Committee will decide whether to grant or dismiss the removal complaint.