Elections are fast approaching for the Chiniki and Wesley bands of the Stoney Nakoda First Nation in nearby Morley.
Nomination day for two new chiefs and eight councillors (one chief and four councillors for each band) was held on the nation Nov. 21.
The election will take place at the Bearspaw Youth Centre Dec. 8 from 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Voting stations will also take place at the two remote Stoney locations of Big Horn and Eden Valley; of the four councillors running for the Wesley band one will fill the position of councillor for Big Horn.
Advance polls will run at the Stoney Tribal Administration (STA) building Dec. 2 from 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
“For those members who can’t make it on Dec. 8, they are encouraged to stop by the STA building on Dec. 2 for advance voting,” said Marvin Yellowhorn, a Pikani First Nation member who has been brought in to act as the chief electoral officer for the Wesley band.
While verification day was Nov. 24, Chiniki chief electoral officer Mike Frank said the final list of Chiniki nominations will not be posted until Nov. 28.
“The verification process is different from nation to nation,” explained Frank, a Blackfoot Nation member brought in to oversee the Chiniki election from Lethbridge.
“An investigation is underway to finalize all the candidates running for the four councillor positions.”
Current Chief Bruce Labelle is running for re-election. Former Chiniki chief Aaron Young is also in the running, as is current councillor Frank Chiniquay and Harry Holloway.
The full list of Chiniki councillors in the running will be posted at the end of the week.
The Wesley band has posted its list of nominations at stoney-nation.com.
Current Chief Ernest Wesley is running for re-election. Current Wesley councillor, Hank Snow, is also in the running, as is Clifford Poucette.
Two Stoney Nation members, who have asked to remain anonymous, have contacted the Eagle, expressing their concerns that the Chiniki Band Council Resolution (BCR) is not being followed.
Both feel there is a lack of transparency stemming from the Chiniki band and are concerned about what the outcome of the election may be.
The appeal deadline for the election is Jan. 5, 2015.
A full list of councillors is available online. The Eagle will print a complete list of councillors running for both bands once the list has been finalized.
