Potlotek Mi’kmaw Nation has chosen its Chief and Council for the next four years.
Band Manager Jocelyn Marshall says approximately 420 voters took part in Tuesday’s election, including advance polls and mail-in ballots.
Chief Wilbert Marshall was re-elected with 195 votes.
Elected councillors are:
-Tyrone Bernard with the highest number of votes with 200.
-Isaiah Bernard and Jimmy Marshall, who each received 163 votes;
-Patrick Isaac with 158;
-Brian Johnson with 154;
-Mary Lee Johnson with 124;
-Jeremy Basque with 120;
-Mary Susan Lauford with 117.
Marshall says four members of the new council are returning, while Jimmy Marshall and Jeremy Basque have previously served as councillors. Brian Johnson and Patrick Isaac will be new members of council.
The newly elected Chief and Council will not take office simply as a result of the vote. Marshall says they must first be formally sworn in.
“That will take place during a community ceremony involving Elders, prayer and smudging. Elected members will receive an eagle feather or another sacred item and make a commitment to act in the best interests of the community and put Potlotek ahead of conflicts or personal interests” says Marshall.
Marshall says the new council will serve a four-year term and believes the community is moving in a positive direction.
“We’re on an incline and we expect to continue on that incline,” she says.
