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Weasel Head re-elected chief of Blood Tribe |
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Written by Delon Shurtz
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Thursday, November 27 2008, 10:41 PM |
In their frantic push for change, voters nearly made a clean sweep of Blood Tribe council during Wednesday’s election.
When the dust settled, Charlie Weasel Head was returned as chief of the Blood Tribe, but eight councillors were unceremoniously given the boot.
“The people have spoken,” Weasel Head said Thursday. “I’m very grateful to my community, my tribe and my people for giving me a huge vote of confidence.”
That vote of confidence extended to only four incumbents, however: Dolores Day Chief (333 votes); Rodney First Rider (347); Kirby Many Fingers (402); and Norbert Weasel Head (476). And that speaks volumes, as well.
“In my mind, there were recurring themes (during the election); that we needed fresh ideas, new ideas,” Chief Weasel Head said.
He said while the return of four incumbents tells him “we are doing some things right,” there is room to improve in several areas, including transparency, communication and accountability, especially when it comes to band spending.
“Our financial position needs to be shared in a consistent and timely manner.”
The new councillors include: Jim Gladstone (527 votes); Dexter Bruised Head (418); Franklyn White Quills (408); Sheldon Day Chief (400); Ronnie Thunder Chief (390); Andrew Bull Calf (382); Joshua Curly Rider (365); and Ira Tail Feathers (322). Gladstone, Dolores Day Chief, Sheldon Day Chief and First Rider also ran for chief.
Weasel Head said he looks forward to working with the new council and he doesn’t want to lose the momentum of the previous council so he’s anxious to move ahead with programs and services.
“It’s really exciting for me. Another four years of rolling up our sleeves.”
With 934 votes, Weasel Head defeated his closest rival, Wilton Goodstriker, by 307 votes. Gladstone, who ran for chief and council, failed in his bid to become chief with just over 100 votes, but he made it onto council with the most of any candidate, and he’s anxious to begin work.
“I’m looking forward to it,” he said.
Of the 5,996 eligible voters on the reserve and in Lethbridge, 2,806 people — 46 per cent — went to the polls Wednesday. That’s down slightly from the 51 per cent who voted in the 2004 election.
Leroy Little Bear, chief electoral officer, pointed out even though fewer people voted in the last election (2,741), there were also fewer eligible voters, which resulted in a higher percentage in voter turnout.
Little Bear said voting ran smoothly, although slow computers at the two polling stations caused some delays, as did long lines of voters.
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Last Updated ( Monday, August 10 2009, 2:36 PM )
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