This is very much the right think to do. I wish them luck.
BY PAUL TURENNE, WINNIPEG SUN
According to the federal government, about one-third of the roughly 120 Indian Act band elections that occur in Canada every year have their results appealed.
These appeals not only take up the time and resources of the people who investigate them and the Federal Court that hears them, but that question mark on the election results also leads to uncertainty for those First Nations leaders who were voted into office.
“Having those appeals over our heads is a black cloud. It doesn’t help us secure investments. It just raises that question of doubt,” said Chief Glenn Hudson of the Peguis First Nation, located in Manitoba’s Interlake. “It’s happened twice in the last three times I’ve been elected. This term is the first time in 10 years that the results weren’t appealed.” Grand Chief Ron Evans, of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, said he hopes reforming the band elections process will lead to fewer appeals.
“Right now the majority of the appeals stem from the mail-in ballot system, which is very flawed,” Evans said, noting the mail-in system would be improved under a new voting structure.
Hudson said he believes the key to reducing appeals is to clean up the process and ensure that if and when a First Nations electoral commission begins running the elections, that they have knowledgeable, trustworthy people in place.
“Having people in place to run a proper election will reduce the appeals,” Hudson said. “I don’t think it would eliminate appeals, but having key individuals in place will help to reduce them.”
BY PAUL TURENNE, WINNIPEG SUN
First Nations leaders from Manitoba are leading a national lobby to change the way chiefs and councils are elected under the Indian Act, saying the current, outdated system promotes instability and scares off investment partners.
The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs want federal Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan to introduce a new law that would change the way band elections are held under the Indian Act.
“The ideal scenario right now is for the First Nations in this province to have their elections on the same day, and more importantly, to extend the term of office for those with two-year terms to four-year terms,” said AMC Grand Chief Ron Evans. “This is very, very important. This is very much needed to stabilize the First Nations leadership. That brings credibility to the First Nations and allows them to move forward with initiatives that they so desperately need in their communities.”
The constant turnover also hinders investment opportunities, he said. “From the planning stages to the actual construction of any project, that usually takes anywhere from three to five years. So if you’re looking at it from a business perspective, one of the questions one asks is ‘are these leaders going to be around long enough to see these projects through?’ ” Evans said. “That factors into whether you get any support and approval for your initiatives.”
A spokeswoman for Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada said the department has received the proposals from AMC and they’re “currently being reviewed to determine next steps.”
Peter Kulchyski, a native studies professor at the University of Manitoba, said he doesn’t expect much opposition to the changes, other than from people who don’t want any national blanket policies for band elections at all.
“There will probably be some criticism from the ‘this- doesn’t-go-far enough’ crowd,” he said. “There will be some communities that say we need to move more quickly towards self-government, but that’s a political question.”
Last edited by grumpy old man on Mon Jul 11, 2011 11:04 am; edited 1 time in total (Reason for editing : Corrected for proper context. gom)
