SADDLE LAKE - The federal court has granted Saddle Lake Cree Nation’s Chief Dale Steinhauer her motion for an interim injunction.
In an order dated Aug. 8, Justice Julie Blackhawk stayed “pending the resolution of the underlying application for judicial review” both the Member’s Motion of July 2 and the Saddle Lake Cree Nation council motion of July 3, which had removed Steinhauer from the position of Chief just two weeks after she was elected.
“Accordingly, Chief Steinhauer is re-instated to her position as elected Chief of the SLCN and there shall be no general election at the end of September 2025,” reads the order.
Dale Steinhauer, John E. Large, James R. Steinhauer, Glen J. Whiskeyjack, Eddy Makokis, Charles A. Cardinal, Kevin A. Delver, Kenton F. Cardinal and Arthur C. Steinhauer were elected to the band council on June 11.
Dale Steinhauer won the position of chief by a single vote on June 18. According to the chief election results filed with the court, Dale Steinhauer received 216 votes, James Steinhauer 215, Eddy Makokis 128, Glen J. Whiskeyjack 121, Kevin Delver 95, Arthur Steinhauer 76, and Charles Cardinal 56.
“[Steinhauer] did not make the best first impression. Things started off rocky. There was a perception that despite her motivations, which I think were probably well intentioned, it was not necessarily received in that spirit for whatever reason, and that clearly rubbed some individuals the wrong way,” said Justice Julie Blackhawk during the proceedings on Aug. 6.
The hearing was to determine the necessary conditions for an interim order so the elected chief and council can work together for the good of Saddle Lake Cree Nation until the merits of Steinhauer’s application for judicial review are resolved at a later date.
Steinhauer has accused councillors Whiskeyjack, Large, and James Steinhauer as having “effected the takeover of SLCN.” The three were named as respondents to the application, in addition to Saddle Lake Cree Nation.
In a sworn affidavit dated July 30 and filed with the court, Whiskeyjack said “I have never experienced a new member of Council – even a Chief- just take over and start to run meetings, ceremonies and other matters unilaterally and without consultation with the rest of Council. However, that is what happened immediately with [Steinhauer].”
Blackhawk’s order also removes James Steinhauer, Large, and Whiskeyjack as respondents on the application. Going forward, the application is to be known as Chief Dale Steinhauer v. Saddle Lake Cree Nation.
Blackhawk’s order gave 14 directions for how chief, council, and staff should operate, including:
“Administrative Staff and Portfolio Heads shall arrange to transfer appropriate responsibilities to members of the 2025 elected SLCN Council, including – appointments to boards, corporations, and signing authorities.”
“The SLCN Council meet on Tuesdays at the Council Chambers for regular meetings.”
“SLCN Council decisions are to be made by consensus.”
“SLCN meetings are to be co-chaired by the Chief of the SLCN and a member of the SLCN Council.”
“Chief of the SLCN votes on matters only as is necessary to break a tie or to achieve quorum.”
In a post to social media after the order was made on Aug. 8, Chief Steinhauer thanked the membership, elders, family, and friends for their support and encouragement over the past month.
“Thank you to my support team, your guidance and encouragement guided me. We have a lot of work to do and I will need your ongoing support, guidance and help to make change. We are in this together,” said Steinhauer.
