Albert James
Albert James was the vice-chief of the Council for Yukon Indians, now Council of Yukon First Nations (CYI), when Judy Gingell was the chair. James resigned when Gingell took the Yukon Commissioner position in 1995, saying he wanted to spend more time in Carcross. James was nominated for the position of CYI grand chief in 1996.1) He was defeated in the second ballot by Shirley Adamson.2)
In November 2000, CYI grand chief Albert James took a leave without pay while the RCMP investigated three charges of sexual offences dating from 1966.3) At the time of his being charged, acting Grand Chief Richard Sidney applauded James for dealing with the charges head on. Some First Nation chiefs believed the charges should be examined in the light of the devastation caused by residential schools. They hoped that attention would be focused on the need for healing programs for the victims of residential school abuses.4)