Elder Says Band Elections Have To Go

Elder Says Band Elections Have To Go

Wednesday, July 30, 2008 at 14:49

The democratic system — choosing chiefs and band councils by elections — isn’t working on First Nations, according to an elder with the Battlefords Tribal Council.

Alex Kennedy says, in many cases, candidates are bribing their people with drugs and alcohol or buying mail-in ballots to get elected.

Kennedy stresses that doesn’t happen on every reserve in every election — but he says it does occur.

Instead, he says they should choose their leaders by traditional methods.

Kennedy has done some research on those old ways, and notes elders and wise, respected people chose leaders in the past based on their integrity.

According to Kennedy, adopting that approach would bring stability to First Nations.

That’s because he argues those leaders would be in place for years — and possibly for life.