(JOHN MCDONALD / iNFOnews.ca)
July 29, 2016 - 6:30 PM
WESTBANK FIRST NATION - Robert Louie is facing some tough and experienced competition to retain his role as Chief in the 2016 band election, including a controversial former chief.
Ron Derrickson is back on the ballot for Sept. 15. The former Chief and current Chief Louie have famously clashed in the past over governance of the band when Louie was part of a group attempting to oust Derrickson over allegations of mismanagement and corruption.
Louie sued Derrickson, current councillor Brian Eli and Harold J. Derrickson for defamation in the late 1980s.
Both men have held the chief’s chair numerous times.
Roxanne Lindley, daughter of one of the band’s first Chiefs, John Norman Lindley, has already declared her candidacy. Larry Derrickson rounds out the chief’s candidate list.
Electoral officer Karley Scott released today the list of confirmed nominees for the chief’s position and four council positions for the election.
All four current councillors, Mike De Guevara, Chris Derrickson, Mic Werstiuk and Brian Eli, have confirmed the nominations they received last week and will stand for re-election.
Another dozen council candidates have confirmed including Fernanda Alexander, Wilfred Barnes, Roberta Ell, Jolene Esau, Jennifer Fulton, Candace Jack, Deborah Jones, Thomas Konek, Jarvis McDougall, Chad Paul and Terri Tiljoe.
The band has roughly 550 voting members.
Chief Robert Louie and band councillors did not immediately respond to requests for an interview.
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