Goodfish voters elect new council

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Residents of the Goodfish Lake reserve have four new councillors and are one step closer to a new chief.

The election took place Oct. 6 at Goodfish Lake's Pakan school where 293 members of the band cast their votes for four council positions.

Another election will be held Oct. 20 to select one of the four newly-elected councillors as chief.

Former chief Morris Jackson had placed six out of 11 candidates, crushing his chance for re-election.

Instead, one of these four councillors will become chief Oct. 20: Ernie Houle (120 votes), Joe A. Cardinal (115), Miles Hunter (105), or Velma Memnook (105). All four councillors are new to the office.

Two former councillors, Allan Houle and Ernest Jackson, did not run this term. Melvin Steinhauer did not run but came in eighth.

Unsuccessful candidates and the number of votes they received are as follows: Simon Sparkling Eyes missed a councillor's position by one vote with 104, former chief Morris Jackson received 86, former councillor Melvin Steinhauer 72, John Delver 51, Jimmy Jackson 39 and Carl Bull 36.

The Goodfish Lake reserve, also known as the Whitefish Lake Band, has a population of about 1,100, half who are eligible to vote. The band's custom is to elect the chief and three councillors for three year terms.