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Neskonlith re-elect Wilson

The chief of the Neskonlith Indian Band has been re-elected for a third term.
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Neskonlith Indian Band Chief Judy WIlson

The chief of the Neskonlith Indian Band has been re-elected for a third term.

Judy Wilson retained her seat versus challengers Bonnie Thomas and Randy Narcisse.

Unofficial tallies were Wilson with 76 votes, Thomas with 52 and Narcisse with 40.

Of the nine candidates vying for the five band councillor positions, incumbents Art Anthony, Karen R. August and Joan Manuel-Hooper were returned.

Newly elected was Fay Ginther, while Louis Thomas was acclaimed as the band councillor for Salmon Arm. Unofficial results were Ginther with 96 votes, Anthony 95, August with 91 and Manuel-Hooper with 75.

Wilson said the 2015 election meant difficult choices for voters.

“Many great candidates from our community put their names forward.”

She termed this an exciting time for the Neskonlith “as there are many more opportunities open to us than barriers or obstacles.”

Priorities, she said, will be: increasing opportunities for the band, securing more resources and revenues, and ensuring collective, informed decision-making with band members.

“During the last council term, financial stability was an issue. Council successfully retired the historic band debt for the first time ever, and also incurred no further operating deficits.”

For the upcoming term, she said outstanding housing receivables will be the single financial issue.

“Many First Nations across Canada are facing the same issues,” she noted, adding that a lot of the issue has to do with the way Aboriginal Affairs and Canada Mortgage and Housing programs are set up.

“The other housing issue is poverty and unemployment. However, I’m optimistic that our band can make headway on housing and come up with positive solutions.”

Once that’s addressed, she said the band can work “to meet housing shortages, complete band infrastructure for business, housing subdivisions and develop new daycares, an elder care program, youth program and strategic engagements such as with highways…”

Wilson said the band council is looking forward to working with neighbouring bands, municipalities,  its band corporation and regional corporation, “including those entities who recognize and work respectively with our community and First Nations government. This begins with recognition of our title and rights, which is more than participation or involvement. It is having a say in the development and being at the table to ensure our environment and land is protected.”

 

 

 



Martha Wickett

About the Author: Martha Wickett

came to Salmon Arm in May of 2004 to work at the Observer. I was looking for a change from the hustle and bustle of the Lower Mainland, where I had spent more than a decade working in community newspapers.
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