Kwanlin Dun voters clean house in band election

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Members of the Kwanlin Dun First Nation did a spring clean-up of their political representatives by electing a new chief and council on March 22.

Out of seven candidates seeking to become chief, Rick O'Brien was narrowly elected as the new chief while incumbent Chief Joe Jack received a stern rejection from the voters. The new broom was also used on council as only two of six councillors were re-elected.

Chief-elect O'Brien received 116 votes, compared to close competitor Mike Smith's 112 votes. Jack, who had decided to run after initially announcing he would not seek re-election following a turbulent three years in office, received 31 votes.

The new chief and councillors took on their responsibilities the following day. Incumbents Allan Taylor and Colleen Williams were re-elected as councillors. They are joined by newcomers Ronald Bill, Leslie Smith, Edwin Scurvey and Darwin O'Brien.

Among the priorities stated by the newly elected team are to promote healing and build community unity among Kwanlin Dun members who've been bitterly divided by political feuding in the last three years. Other important issues are re-igniting land claim negotiations with the federal government.

Of the 646 eligible voters, 350 or 54 per cent came out to elect their new political body.