Bands elect new chiefs, councillors

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The Cold Lake First Nations Band elected Francis Scanie as their Chief on June 17, at their reserve, located 210 kilometres northeast of Edmonton.

Joining Chief Scanie on band council are Sam Minoose, Gordon Muskego, Melanie Matchatis, Rod Charland, Armand Martial and Leo Janvier. Elections for counsellors were held on June 25.

The Cold Lake community has about 1,100 residents.

Chief Scanie, 58, has previously been on Council for 14 years, serving as band councillor between 1968 and 1982.

Creating jobs and getting houses built for band members are the priorities, Chief Scanie sees for the new council.

Chief Scanie says the band is looking at getting a round log mill, a shingles mill and equipment for making fence posts, in the near future. He added, that with the band owned saw mill plus the possibility of the band getting a timber berth in the area, the band will be able to create jobs and begin the construction of houses on the reserve.

"The band will be able to supply its own material for the construction of houses," said Chief Scanie.

The Cold Lake First Nations Band held their elections according to their own band custom election laws.

All adult band members are eligible to vote, under their election laws.

These laws require that candidates for Chief must be at least 40 years old and candidates for councillor positions have to be at least 21 years old.

Band elections were also held by the Cree Band of Fort Chipewyan and the Fort McKay Band, near Fort McMurray.

Chief Rita Marten, was recently elected as the first woman Chief of the Cree Band at Fort Chipewyan, in northeastern Alberta. She was elected over six other candidates, in the band's custom elections.

Chief Marten, 38, feels very honoured to be chosen as the first woman Chief.

Her priorities are "to follow through on her campaign promise, to work in the best interests of" the 1,100 member band.

Another immediate priority, is to meet with the new minister of Indian Affairs, William McKnight, "to fill him in on the band's position" regarding the settlement of the band's land claim.

Chief Marten will be joined by others in the Cree Band council., when elections

for councillors, based on band custom are held June 18. Elections for Chief based on band custom was held by the Fort McKay Band, near Fort McMurray, 430 kilometres northeast of Edmonton.

Jimmy Boucher, 30, was elected Chief, on June 25, over incumbent Dorothy McDonald, who had served three terms.

This is the first time around for Chief Boucher, however, he had served on band council before.

Joining him as band council members are Larry Boucher and Edith Orr, who were also elected on June 25.

Chief Boucher said "He will be meeting the people first," before taking to the press.

A meeting is scheduled for the 250 member band, this week.

Approximately 100 eligible voters cast their vote in the election, reported Chief Boucher.