Tla’amin (Sliammon) Nation members will be going to the polls on Saturday, September 13, to select the next chief and council.
There are three candidates vying for the chief’s position: Gloria Francis, Vernon Pielle and Clint Williams.
There are 21 candidates for 10 councillor positions: Gloria M. Francis; Verna Francis; Sherry Galligos; Steven A. Galligos; Brian Hackett; John S. Hackett; Dillon Johnson; David J. Louie; Eugene Louie; Larry Louie; Shawn Louie; Walter Paul; Brandon Peters; Vernon Pielle; Sandy Point; Denise Smith; Lori Sparrow; Kevin C. Timothy; Tracy Timothy; Clint Williams and Steven Wilson.
Fred Schiffner, who has been the electoral officer for Tla’amin for years, said the nomination meeting for chief and councillors was held at the end of July so the slate has been set. He said there are approximately 850 eligible voters for this election and there will be one polling station on the reserve on voting day. Four teams will count ballots after votes have been cast. Schiffner expects results between 10:30 and 11 pm on September 13.
The three candidates for chief have also put their names forward as nominees for councillor positions. Schiffner said under the Indian Act Election Regulations, a candidate may be nominated to the position of chief and/or councillor.
“If the candidate is not able to garner enough votes for chief, he or she could be elected to council,” he said.
“Similarly a candidate could be elected to both positions [chief and councillor]. “Should this situation occur, the first nation would be short one council position.”
Schiffner said in any event, only one vote would be allowed by this person at a council meeting. He added there are other factors that enter into such a situation and these factors are determined between the first nation and Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada.
If any candidate withdraws from seeking election before election day, their name will remain on the ballot but the votes cast will not be counted.
Schiffner is well acquainted with the first nations electoral process. His full-time business is serving as an electoral officer for first nations.
“I’ve probably done 500, maybe more,” he said.
