Kikino voters bring women back on council

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It has been a decade and a half since a woman has sat on the Kikino Metis Settlement Council. That changed in the May 8 election for two positions on the five-member council. Two women were among the eight candidates and both were elected.

Denise White, 37, led the polls with 97 votes and was elected to a three-year term. Verona White, 31, was second with 69 votes and will serve two years. It was the first foray into local politics for both women, who were sworn into office May 15. Denise White was named council vice-chair.

The race for second was close: Ben Howse got 67 votes, Reuben Pruden 66. Then came Raymond Thompson 45; also Lyle Thompson 31; William Howse nine; and incumbent Richard Callioux nine. Long-serving councillor Dean Thompson did not seek re-election.

Denise White and Verona White are related through their husbands who are fourth cousins.

Both new councillors said they were surprised by the outcome of the election, but they downplayed the gender angle. Women have regularly run for council positions but have not been successful since the mid-1980s.

The election "surprised a lot of people," said Denise White, including the winning candidates themselves. "I'm really not sure why two women were elected. I think it was because people were looking for a change. I'm glad they're giving us a chance."

Verona White agrees that voters were looking for a change. She feels the wish to "get a woman's point of view on the council" had an effect.

How that point of view affects future council actions will be closely watched by the voters, says Denise White. "We'll probably set the precedent if women are going to be elected again."

As well as bringing a woman's perspective to council, the new councillors will bring unique career-related experience.

Denise has been working with the finance department of the Metis Settlements General Council in Edmonton for the past two years, commuting from Kikino every second day. She and her husband Gerald White, a well-known musician and promoter of Metis music and culture, have two sons, age 17 and 10.

Verona has been working with heavy equiment for the Kikino settlement for the past two years. She and her husband Calvin White have four children: boys aged 14, 12 and 5, and a 10-year-old daughter.

Neither new councillor has a defined agenda for change. They both say they are getting used to the surprise of the election win and becoming familiar with the workings and duties of council.