Wôlinak Band Council: Arson of elected official’s house

An arson attack occurred early Saturday morning at the home of an elected member of the band council of Wolinac, an Abenaki community near Pecancourt in the Centre-du-Quebec region.

According to witnesses, the fire broke out at Councilor Martin Bergeron-Millet’s house around 4:10 a.m. Saturday.

The Wôlinak Police Department confirmed that at least two suspects are being sought after containers of accelerator were found near the scene of the fire. A fire scene technician from the Sûreté du Québec was also requested to assist.

The fire is sparking outrage in the community, which was already shocked earlier in the week after a group of councilors suspended Wôlinak’s director-general.

Hours after the fire, band council president Michael R. Bernard posted a message on his Facebook page to show his solidarity with the victims.

“The safety of our members is the priority of the Abenakis of the Wôlinak Council, which is why we guarantee that all the necessary steps will be taken to bring to light the cause of this incident”, Mr. Bernard wrote.

Wôlinak then asks anyone with information to contact police at (450) 568-3733.

The garage that burned housed two businesses. Ms. According to Bergeron-Milette’s wife, the snow removal tractors and machinery stored there were worth nearly $1 million.