Outspoken Chief Defeated In Band Election
Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 15:48
There is a new chief at the Shoal Lake Cree Nation.
Kevin Bear defeated incumbent leader Marcel Head and another challenger yesterday to lay claim to the title.
According to a clerk at the band office, Bear beat Head by a vote count of 169 to 118.
It will be the first time in almost a decade that someone other than Head is leading the reserve.
The three-term chief says he has no regrets about his time in office.
Head says he is proud of the work he did on the band’s land claim and resource sharing files — in addition to securing government attention over Highway 55.
Head says he also feels good about standing up against the move at the FSIN to reinstate David Ahenakew, as well as Liberal Leader Stephane Dion’s appointment of Joan Beatty as the party’s candidate in a federal by-election earlier this year.
He doesn’t think his outspokenness on either issue cost him at the polls, but rather, he thinks it helped his cause.
Head isn’t sure what he’ll do next, but plans to explore opportunities within his community and the Prince Albert Grand Council.
Meantime, a recount is scheduled to take place today for two councillors who ended up in a tie.
Both Raymee Whitecap and Vincent Young ended up with 113 votes apiece.
A runoff ballot may be needed if the recount fails to solve the deadlock.
Other band councillors elected include Norma Bear, Carlton Bear and incumbent Gordon Flett.
All of the positions are for three years.