LUBICON LAKE FIRST NATION
ELECTION REPORT 2009
The Lubicon Lake First Nation has elected a new Chief. Steve Noskey a former band council member was elected Chief of the Lubicon Lake First Nation on June 5th in Little Buffalo. Also elected were two members of the previous council, Dwight Gladue and Larry Ominayak, along with three new council members, Dwight Sawan, Michael Laboucan and Vance laboucan. The election was conducted in accordance with the Lubicon Lake First Nation Custom Election Procedures...
BACKGROUND
The election was originally scheduled to be held on April 29th and Mr. Ralph Bouvette was appointed Chief Electoral Officer. On the day of the election, Mr. Bouvette was asked to conduct the election under new rules which had not been properly discussed and approved by the Lubicon membership. He therefore refused to conduct the election under the new rules. This action then brought the election process to a halt, which prompted the majority of the community members in attendance to call for and proceeded to hold a community meeting. The purpose of the meeting was to set a new election date. June 5, 2009 was set with a duly posted special general meeting of Lubicon members to be held May 29th.
It was decided to consult with previous Chief Electoral Officers about appointment of new Chief Electoral Officer. Ralph Bouvette and Gregg Smith were consulted and recommended Clayton Blood. Clayton Blood was contacted and agreed to serve as Chief Electoral Officer of the June 5th election and also to chair the special general meeting of Lubicon member on May 29th. The Special general meeting was convened at 7:00pm at the school gymnasium. More than 100 community members were in attendance and an agenda was circulated to give the members a list of matters to be discussed.
1. The first issue was to give some details on cancellation of the April 29, 2009 election.
2. The second item discussed was the membership and voter eligibility rules. The rules were once again read out loud but the one that received the most attention was the rule where members have to be normally resident in traditional Lubicon territory. A question was posed as whether to allow a member to vote in the election if they are attending school elsewhere but normally live in the community. Also there were situations where members had to move to other areas because of a shortage of housing or a shortage of jobs. But it was decided not to change the existing rules at this time. The concern was not to make any changes that would jeopardize the validity of the election.
3. There was a discussion on the procedures of the June 5th election. Lubicon members wanted to proceed with the election on the same rules and procedures they have always followed.
Many of the members that attended the May 29th Community Meeting expressed their desire to be included in the election. One member stated “once you are a Lubicon, You should always be a Lubicon.” another member stated that other First Nations allow their members to vote even if they live in other areas. But in the end, everyone agree the election should be conducted under the same rules that have always been followed.
The community meeting was adjourned and everyone was reminded of the election on June 5th,
Election Day
On Friday June 5th, the election was called to order at 4:20pm by Chief Electoral Officer, Clayton Blood. It was held at the school gymnasium with 134 Lubicon members in attendance plus some members of the community who don’t qualify under Lubicon membership or voter eligibility rules. Only Lubicon members who qualify under Lubicon voter eligibility rules participated in the vote. There was also a reporter from the Peace River newspaper and four members of the RCMP in attendance. The first item was an opening prayer offered by Mr. Blood. He gave special prayers for Lubicon Elder, Elise Seeseequon who had just lost her son Joe Seeseequon on Tuesday June 2nd. Then Mr. Blood introduced himself to the community.
As Chief Electoral Officer, Mr. Blood once again read the rules of the election. The first rule was that a member had to be 18 years of age or older and is normally resident of Lubicon territory. Rule 2 was that a member must be of aboriginal ancestry with family ties to other Lubicon members and historic ties to Lubicon Territory. Rule 3 stated that a Lubicon member cannot have chosen to be a member of another Indian Nation or Band under the Indian Act. These rules were also posted around the community 20 days prior to the election as a requirement of the election procedures.
There was a clarification offered by Steve Noskey when resident of the community was discussed. The rule is that the person has to be normally resident in Lubicon territory to be eligible to vote.
People who did not qualify to vote in the election were asked to stand aside so the voter count could be conducted in an orderly fashion.
Election Officers
The Chief Electoral Officer recruited the assistance of Lubicon member Maggie Auger and two people who didn’t qualify to vote to assist in the election. Maggie Auger served as recording secretary. Rose Ominayak and Marina Gladue served as scrutineers. Rose Ominayak is a lubicon member who didn’t qualify to vote because she is not normally resident in Lubicon territory. Marina Gladue is a community member but didn’t qualify to vote because she a member of the Sucker Creek Band.
Maggie Auger Recording Secretary
Rose Ominayak Scrutineer
Marina Gladue Scrutineer
At least two people in attendance were recording the election on their camcorders.
Election of Chief
The Chief Electoral Officer then opened the floor for nominations for the position of Chief and the nominations are as follows:
For Chief Steve Noskey Nominated by Larry Ominayak
Seconded by Virginia Laboucan
Steve Noskey was asked if he accepted the nomination. Steve replied he accepts.
Dwight Gladue Nominated by Gloria Letendre.
Before a Seconder could be found, Dwight declined the nomination for Chief.
After no more nominations were made, nominations were closed for the position of Chief.
Steve Noskey was asked if he would give a speech on his nomination. Steve took the opportunity and gave a speech for approximately five minutes.
The Chief Electoral officer then called for the scrutineers to take their place at the front of the voters, one on each end to the gym. Then the voters were asked to show their hands if they are voting for Steve Noskey. The count was 57 on one end of the gym and 43 on the other end for a total of 100 votes. Steve Noskey was then declared the new Chief of the Lubicons.
For Council
The Chief Electoral Officer then called for the nomination of 5 Councillors and they were as follows:
Dwight Sawan,
Dwight Gladue
Larry Ominayak
Michael Laboucan
Vance Laboucan
Dwight Sawan nominated by Jonathan Sawan and seconded Floyd Gladue. Vance Laboucan, Dwight Gladue, Larry Ominayak and Michael Laboucan were nominated as a group by Virginia Ominayak and seconded by Lisa Ominayak. It was explained by Larry Ominayak the nominees could be nominated together as in previous elections.
The Chief Electoral Officer then called for any other nominations but no more were made. Each of the nominees was asked if they accepted the nominations and each one accepted. Then the nominees were asked to give a speech and each one gave a short speech.
Again the Scrutineers were called to take their place and the vote for council was called again by a show of hands. Since Dwight Sawan was nominated separately, he was first voted for and the count for Dwight was 44 on one end of the gym and 56 for a total of 100 votes.
Then the vote for the other four candidates was called for and the count was 44 on one end of the gym and 55 on the other end for a total of 99 votes. The candidates were declared the new council.
There were 101 lubicon members who were eligible to vote in attendance. Rosie whitehead was eligible to vote but didn’t.
Kieth Carifelle was eligible to vote but left the hall after voting for Steve Noskey and Dwight Sawan.
The Chief Electoral Officer then declared the election closed.
Signed_ORIGINAL SIGNED BY CLAYTON BLOOD
