A resident of the Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation in Saskatchewan who spoke out about vote-buying has lost his job at the community's school for helping reporters, in what the school says is a breach of its policy.

Leon Weeseekase publicly called for an end to what he said is a practice of exchanging money for votes at band council elections on his reserve.

"I kind of feel betrayed," he said. "I tried to help the community somehow, speaking out about alcohol and drugs and vote-buying, saying that it's not right. They tell me that I can't talk about that subject because it's going to hurt our community, when our community is already hurt."

Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation is about 300 kilometres northwest of Saskatoon.

On March 19 and 20, before the publication of a CBC story on the topic that featured Weeseekase, he accompanied two journalists who were door-knocking in the community in order to find out more about the alleged practice.

What's the use of being scared? We only live in this world once. Make the best of it. That's the way I see life. - Leon Weeseekase

The following Monday, Weeseekase, who was a maintenance worker at the community's school, was called into a disciplinary meeting with administration. The school had received a complaint from band members regarding him accompanying the journalists. A few days later, Weeseekase's position was terminated.

The school board chair, Douglas Littlespruce, said the decision was entirely based on the school's disciplinary policy, which aims to prevent politics from getting involved in the school's operations.

The policy, cited in the letter of dismissal given to Weeseekase, indicates that employees are forbidden from causing a "disruptive influence at work and/or in the community" and from performing "any action that is disrespectful or brings disrespect to the employer."

"We don't tolerate politics at the school," Littlespruce said, adding that his goal is to keep conflict away from students. "We want to keep the kids safe. They're our priority."

Weeseekase didn't believe that was ever an issue.

Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation is about 300 kilometres northwest of Saskatoon. (CBC) "I told them, 'I don't know how I was endangering the kids.' I'm just trying to look out for their future," he said, adding that he "can't keep quiet."

Littlespruce is unsure who complained about Weeseekase, but said that it doesn't matter because Weeseekase admitted that he was accompanying reporters.

Littlespruce also emphasized that he bears no ill will toward Weeseekase, that the maintenance worker's performance was not an issue, and that he is welcome to return to his job if he agrees to abide by school policy.

Weeseekase: Why live in fear?

Before agreeing to be interviewed about vote buying several months earlier, Weeseekase conceded that it could cause him to lose his employment.

"Just talking to you guys, I'll probably lose my job at the school, but that's OK," he said at the time.

Weeseekase had said others would speak out as well if they weren't afraid of the consequences.

"They're scared to lose their job," he said. "But what's the use of being scared? We only live in this world once. Make the best of it. That's the way I see life."

Weeseekase said he is not interested in getting his job back and is currently seeking other employment.

While the school's principal did not respond to requests for comment, school counsellor Barry Chalifoux spoke on behalf of the institution and echoed Litttlespruce's comments.

"Our students are amazing students, and we want to provide the best education we can and we want to know that we're confident in them and who they are. And when there are negative things that do happen, we want them to know that we're trying [to protect] our students."

"I have no negative feelings toward Leon Weeseekase. I wish him the best in his future endeavours and I do hope to see him in the future."