Candidates for Chief talk about why election is important for the Katzie First Nation

Katzie First Nation will see two candidates this year, in the running for the Chief’s position, and both shared with The News why this year’s elections are important.

The Nation will be holding the 2022 elections on Feb. 27 for the positions of Chief and council. During the nomination meeting, which was held on January 30, 47 members attended, and it was determined that two candidates would be in the running for the Chief position and seven for the three council positions.

Incumbent, Chief Grace George, will be running again this year after winning in 2020 through acclamation. She noted that while this election year would be different, as she is running with an opposition, she believed that members would make decisions keeping in mind the best interest for the Nation.

“I have served our Nation for four years now, and I understand it takes a lot of courage to let your name stand for any of our Council positions. It’s not an easy role in anyway. It’s a lot of responsibility and hard work but in my opinion it’s also an honour to serve our people. An opportunity to create legacy and prosperity for our members, including those yet to be born, what a gift of trust!” she said.

George noted that all Katzie elections are important to guide the direction the Nation will go towards.

“Historically, we have relied on members to make informed decisions, this election is no different. My hope is that our members make decisions that allow them to feel proud of our Nation, safe and included, and hopeful for our future in every way. I truly want our members to be happy and fulfilled, as their current leader that’s all that matters to me,” she said.

George will be running against past Chief Susan Miller and expressed that she was excited to hear what her predecessor’s platform would be.

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”We’ve stood together before running for this position in 2018. We will do it again in 2022. I wish her, and all the other councillor candidates the very best in the upcoming election,” she said.

Miller, who was the chief for the nation since October 2013, until 2018, believes that the Nation’s leadership needs to focus on both, bringing up its members through programs and services, and in forming and maintaining relationships with municipalities.

“I strongly believe that the leadership of Katzie First Nation needs to find the balance of building programs and services for all of our members, while also re-establishing and maintaining good relationships with all the municipalities in our traditional territory,” she said.

“My hope is that voters will come and listen to the candidates speak to their platforms and goals for the coming term, at the upcoming all candidates meeting on February 17th. The voters attendance will assist them in making an informed decision on how the interests of all Katzie members will be addressed by the candidates,” she said.

The all-candidates meeting will be held on Feb. 17, at 6 p.m. at the Health and Community Centre. However the location might be changed and the event could be moved online if any provincial public health restrictions come into effect before then.

The elections will be held in-person with safety precautions in place.

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