Chris Clegg
South Peace News
A decision to postpone Driftpile Cree Nation’s election just over one month is not sitting well with some members, but Chief Dwayne Laboucan says the decision was made in the best interests of a fair election and band membership.
The Dec. 18 election is postponed until Jan. 20, 2025.
“Bear in mind we handed out (mailed) ballots,” says Laboucan, adding Driftpile is one of the few bands left in Canada operating its elections under the Indian Act.
But the Canada Post strike occurred Nov. 15 prompting problems with ballots stuck in the Canada Post system throughout the province. If the election continued, says Laboucan, the ballots could not reach potential voters and the chance to vote lost.
“It’s because of the strike,” says Laboucan. “Thirteen-hundred ballots were sent out and the strike occurred two days later. It’s (the election) in limbo.”
Ballots must be mailed out at least 35 days before the election.
“With no clear end to the strike and holiday season backlogs now compounding delays, it became impossible to ensure these ballots would be delivered, returned, and counted in time for Dec. 18,” reads a 15-page letter to band membership posted on the Nation’s website.
Earlier, the band council met and decided to take action.
“We think to have a fair election everyone has to be given a chance to vote,” says Laboucan.
However, a small group of band members gathered Dec. 10 in front of the band office for a peaceful protest. April Isadore, one of the candidates in the election, organized the protest.
“This peaceful rally is not about having the on-reserve and off-reserve right to vote in this year’s election, but most importantly about how frustrated band members are about the elected leadership operating from an authoritarian style form of government rather than democratic one,” wrote Isadore in an email.
She charges that chief and council interfered with the election process by writing to Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) asking for the election’s postponement.
“In the letter it states that chief and council and the electoral officer made this call,” writes Isadore.
A copy of the letter backs Isadore’s claim but also that chief and council did not act inappropriately.
“On Dec. 4, 2024, Indigenous Services Canada received a Band Council resolution confirming the chief and council’s decision to postpone the election until Jan. 20, 2025,” wrote Javed Sommers, assistant director, Individual Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations, Alberta Region, Indigenous Services Canada.
“The decision to postpone an election is under the purview of First Nations and must be made by the chief and council,” Sommers added.
However, it does mean the Nation will have no council serving them between Dec. 18 and Jan. 20. The Indian Act and the First Nations Elections Act does not give the Minister of Indigenous Services the right to extend the terms of office for chief and council. In the meantime, ISC will work with CAO Lindsay Davies to support the delivery of programs and services to the band membership.
The decision does not sit well with Isadore.
“We did not get consulted as voting band members or as candidates,” she says.
She argues the election could have proceeded as scheduled.
“There was already two polling stations set off-reserve so that meets the threshold for the Corbiere decision,” says Isadore.
She also questions why Davies is being left in charge of making decisions although ISC has stated they will help, if required.
“ISC is aware of our plan,” says Laboucan.
“Open up more polling stations if you have to,” Isadore suggests, adding the delay only further causes “lateral violence and bullying.”
Isadore adds it will be the first time in 125 years that Driftpile Cree Nation will be without locally-elected governance or leadership.
Laboucan says council’s decision to postpone has been done elsewhere. In the event the postal strike continues, Laboucan says provisions will be made for voting which will add expense to the election but worth it to ensure the fairest election possible is held. It is estimated Driftpile has about 1,900 eligible voters in the election.
Laboucan wishes the best of luck to all candidates in the election for chief and council.
