Roxanne Lindley.
Image Credit: Facebook
June 21, 2016 - 9:00 PM
LINDLEY BOLSTERS HER CREDENTIALS WITH CREATION OF CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
OKANAGAN - A challenger to Westbank First Nation Chief Robert Louie has declared her intention to run for the leader’s position in the band’s September election.
Roxanne Lindley announced in a video on the weekend she intends to follow in her late father’s footsteps. John Norman Lindley was the band’s first elected chief, in the early '60s.
In the video announcing her candidacy, Lindley says she now views her childhood as preparation for the role of band chief, including the values he instilled in her.
“My father was that type of leader,” Lindley says. “He put the community first, put the people first and to me, that’s what true leadership is about."
Besides announcing her candidacy, the video focuses on the charitable work of the John Norman Lindley Foundation, created earlier this year by Lindley, who serves as president.
Since then, Lindley says the foundation performed a cultural exchange with a Czech Republic university in Prague, financed a trip by local designer Jill Setah to a fashion show in Los Angeles and worked with indigenous communities in Haiti helping them establish a supply of clean drinking water.
As well, Lindley represented the foundation at a recent Aboriginal Business Match in Penticton where she showcased hemp products imported from Europe.
Lindley challenged for the chief’s position in 2013 but failed to win the simple majority needed to unseat Louie.
Louie has previously said he will run again for chief and expects the collapse of the private hospital project, which cost the band $8.2 million and embroiled it in lawsuits, will be an election issue.
Louie did not immediately respond to a request for an interview.
Under the band’s constitution, it must appoint an electoral officer 90 days before the Sept. 15 election. Nominations must be declared by Aug. 1 and an official electors list will be released one week later.
To contact a reporter for this story, email John McDonald or call 250-808-0143 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.
We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.
News from © iNFOnews, 2016