Sturgeon Lake elects woman chief

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For the first time in band history, Sturgeon Lake has elected a woman to be their chief.

Darlene Desjarlais received 126 votes to defeat former chief Ron Sunshine and five others vying for the position. Desjarlais is believed to be only the third woman in Alberta to become chief of a band.

Her election was not without controversy. About 160 people attended a protest meeting at Sturgeon Lake, about 90 km southeast of Grande Prairie. Their concern was that Desjarlais is non-treaty, does not live on the reserve and is not a band member, according to the group.

"Sturgeon Lake people do not need an outsider to run their business," said one member.

The issue here is that the chief is non-treaty and is not a band member," said an elder at the meeting. "Therefore the people here feel that this chief will not represent their best interests."

A petition demanding the new chief's resignation was circulated for signatures and the group marched to the band administration office, many carrying placards of protest. There was only one councillor on hand at the band office.

The group left a letter to the new chief, asking her to attend meeting the following Sunday. They left their placards and the petition behind. The chief could not attend the meeting, but promised the group a general meeting sometime in May.

Seven councillors were elected along with the chief. The seven new councillors join five others, bringing the total to the required 12.

Among the newly elected councillors is Randy Desjarlais, husband of the new chief. Other winners include Gwen Mitchell, Pauline Mitchell, Arnold McLean, Pierre

Chowace, Adolf Kappo and Pete Joyce.

"The byelection was the result of an Order in Council from the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern development due to alleged inconsistencies with the administration of the electoral process during the election last August.

Officials from Indian Affairs were on hand for the byelection.

According to one band source, about 75 per cent of the eligible voters cast ballots in the byelection. Elections are normally held every two years.