It was a close election With Chief Rosario Pinette defeating Elie Jaques with only 33 votes on July 31, 2001. The vote was contested and violence epurted in the community.
Two nights nights in a row seen what police called alcohol fueled rampages. Estimated damages to band buildings and businesses totaled about $250,000.
To date, a total of six people have been arrested by the Native police force. The Native police have asked that municipal police from nearby Sept-Îles, the Surete du Quebec, and a riot squad from Quebec be put on stand-by should tensions rise again.
Election protestors smashed the windows of the Band Office, vandalized the school, and a health office in the first night alone.
