The deadline for nominations has been extended in the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council election.
The council is an advocacy alliance of eight First Nations in the Prince George region, stretching as far west as Broman Lake.
The deadline to nominate someone for the group's tribal chief and vice-chief was originally set for Friday. Chief electoral officer Loreen Suhr (along with Annalise Stillwell) said democracy was better served by adding a few days.
"We extended the nomination time until Monday because some of the band offices were unexpectedly closed," said Suhr. "If they can't get in their nominations, it is not their fault the offices were closed. We didn't know when the dates were set that some of the band offices would choose to close for Aboriginal Day celebrations. This extension just makes it easier, more open and fair for everyone."
Anyone with membership in any of the eight member nations may run for one of the two positions the council elects every three years. These two elected posts are separate from any of the chiefs and councillors elected by the individual bands.
The member First Nations are Nadleh Whut'en First Nation (Fraser Lake and Fort Fraser), Nak'azdli First Nation (Fort St. James), Stellat'en First Nation (Fraser Lake), Saik'uz First Nation (Vanderhoof), Takla Lake First Nation (Takla Lake), Tl'azt'en Nation (Stuart Lake and Tachie), Ts'il Kaz Koh (Burns Lake), and Wet'suwet'en First Nation (Burns Lake and Broman Lake).
The respective incumbents are David Luggi (tribal chief) and Terry Teegee (tribal vice-chief). A complete list of candidates will be provided once the nomination process has ended.
The election will be held July 20 with an advance polling date of July 15th.
The Lake Babine Nation, the third largest Indian band in B.C. with 2,300 members based in Burns Lake but spread among five other communities to the north, is also holding elections on Thursday.
Wilfred Adam, Victor Alec Sr., Emma Palmantier, Betty Patrick and Mary Ann Poirier are standing for chief while approximately 40 people are vying for nine regional council seats.
Next up is the Stellat'en First Nation based between Fraser Lake and Vanderhoof. They have 424 registered members. Their three-person executive is currently made up of chief Reginald Louis, councillor Robert Michell and councillor Violet Kennedy. The Stellat'en First Nation's election date is July 26.
The Tsay Keh First Nation recently completed elections on June 14. The chief is now Dennis Izony while the incoming councillors are Robert Tomah, Luke Gleeson, Daniel Pierre, and Helena Whitehead.
"Each First Nation runs elections according to their own custom code," said Suhr. She and business partner Stillwell are veterans of Aboriginal government selection. "The only exceptions are those still under Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada for the protocols they follow. We call those Section 10 elections. "
Suhr and Stillwell are not members of any of the First Nations of the area and operate as chief electoral officers as disconnected parties with certified skills in the electoral process.
