Elections change southern Alberta's political landscape

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Although recent band elections in southern Alberta have installed a few new chiefs, such was not the case on the outskirts of Calgary where Chief Roy Whitney fought off a strong bid by Bruce Starlight and retained his position. He now enters his sixth two-year term as chief of the Tsuu T'ina First Nation. Only three of the 10 council positions saw new faces ? those of Kevin Littlelight, Tony Starlight and Paul Whitney.

"Chief Whitney said that land claims remain his First Nation's priority. One of these involves the Sarcee military base, which is slated to revert back to band control this year. The land is being eyed for economic development due to its close proximity to the city. A proposed casino is one possibility. Housing units are another.

Over in Stoney territory, John Snow sr. is back in as chief of the Wesley Band after an absence of a few years. Henry Holloway heads up the Chiniki Band and Philomene Stephen is the new chief of the Bearspaw Band.

Further south, in Blood country, political newcomer Chris Shade handily out-voted Randy Bottle for the chieftainship. Shade, the band's former health administrator, enters a four-year term along with 24 councilors, of whom 12 were recently elected to office.

The Peigan Nation was scheduled to go to the polls on Jan. 7.

Many of the elections saw huge slates for office. For example, in the Peigan election, more than 70 people were seeking election as band councilors, each seeking to fill one of 12 positions on council. Similarly large fields were in evidence in the Blood Tribe election, as well as other elections around Alberta in the fall.

Elsewhere in the province, Alice Strawberry was re-elected at O'Chiese, in central Alberta. And in northern Alberta, Harvey Bulldog was re-elected chief of Beaver River First Nation at Boyer River.