Chief Susan Miller will have to campaign to win another term as Katzie First Nation chief at the end of the month.
After being named by acclamation two years ago, Miller is being challenged by Spencer Pierre during the Feb. 25 council election.
Pierre is son of Katzie elder Cyril Pierre and grew up on the Barnston Island reserve.
“I strongly believe in maintaining and teaching our culture and traditions to not just our youth, but to anyone who wishes to learn,” Pierre said this week.
“The teachings of our elders are vital to our identity and their words are invaluable, not only at our gatherings but in terms of the progression and future of our nation.”
He added he’s been involved in revitalizing the hulquminum language.
Miller won an election in November 2013, then was acclaimed in the February 2014 election for the two-year terms.
Miller said before she’s been trying to improve how things operate on the reserve that lies between Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge.
“We have to still complete the revisions to the election code. We need to look at our membership code. We’re hoping to advance the treaty discussions.”
A ratification vote takes place in April on the agreement in principle for the treaty, reached after years of negotiations.
In the last few years, regular, recorded council meetings have been set up, financial statements, quarterly band meetings and a strategic plan.
“It’s been busy,” Miller said.
There’s also a referendum for the First Nations lands management program. That will determine how the band manages its land and what kind of developments will be allowed. Miller said opposing the Sheridan Hill gravel mine has taken time, as well.
She still wants set up a daycare, improve housing, get funding for a family support worker and increase post-secondary education opportunities.
Two incumbents, Rick Bailey and Peter James Jr., are seeking re-election.
Another six are challenging for the three council seats. Leslie Bailey, Arnold Pierre, Coleen Pierre, Lindsay Pierre, Brenda Pierre-Leon and Pam McCotter are also running.
Miller said if a treaty agreement is reached, she expects it won’t get bogged down as happened with the Yale First Nation.
Miller said the Katzie band has had a land and cash offer from the senior governments for the settlement and responded with a counter, but has yet to hear a response from Ottawa.
A treaty agreement could still be reached with the final land and cash negotiations to be completed later. That remains the one outstanding issue, she added.
“We have been following the path since we entered the treaty process 25 years ago,” Miller said.
Any time the band reached a milestone in the negotiations, it referred back to original documents.
“We do need to do some more education with our members because some of the people that will vote on this were not even born when we started this 25 years ago.”