Lheidli T’enneh First Nation has re-elected Dolleen Logan as chief for the next two years. Logan was first elected in 2021 and became the first female chief elected since 1969.
She is the second female chief to lead the nation after Mary Pius.
With a 55 per cent eligible voter turnout during the April 11 election, Logan was re-elected for a second term winning over three other candidates.
Out of a pool of 21 candidates, Lheidli T’enneh voters also elected six councillors who will also serve a two-year term. Crystal Gibbs and Joshua Seymour were re-elected and will be joined by new concillors Wendy Jael, Kyle McIntosh, John West, and Robert Gagnon.
“We had a 55 per cent voter outcome yesterday and that was outstanding. I guess it rarely happens to have that many voters. It shows extraordinary strong interest in the nation,” said Chief Logan following the election. “Members have elected an excellent council to lead the nation for the next two years and I'm very excited about this.”
She said the Chief and Council have identified a few immediate priorities which include forestry, language revitalization and strengthening relationships with neighbouring First Nations.
“I knew I was working hard, but knowing that I got re-elected, I know I was on the right track,” said Logan. “I'm so proud of our nation and so excited about this next two years.”
Coun. Seymour said he is looking forward to have more community involvement following the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Looking at the next two years, I want to see more community involvement in decision making. We came out of a time where we couldn't have as many community members within our government system and I think it's time that we started including a lot of the community members to guide where we want to be,” said Seymour.
“We've made leaps and bounds in technology that we can include members from wherever they are and I think that's what we need to become a strong leadership is to be able to connect with all of our members.”
Lheidli T’enneh voters also elected Elissa Gagnon, Melody Buzas, and Phyllis Seymour to the Lands Authority.
