The March 3 vote count. Photo courtesy Facebook, Rosalene Head.
It’s been six days since Red Earth Cree Nation band members went to the polls, and after a tight race and vote recount the Chief Electoral Officer finally has election results to report.
Miller Nawakayas is the new Chief on Red Earth. After initial vote counts on Friday, he came in only one vote ahead of his biggest competition, Fabian Head.
Chief Electoral Officer Wendel Head said a recount was requested by one of the candidates on Saturday, and they proceeded with the recount on Monday afternoon.
“The recount remained the same so the one-vote difference was accepted by the candidate,” Wendel said.
Community members have said the whole process was controversial, and Wendel agrees.
“Yes it was, it was that one-vote difference that was the issue,” he said.
Also in the running for chief were Roy Head and Helen Garvin. Former Chief Ian McKay was not running for re-election.
The new councillors are Zachary Whitecap, Charlie McKay, Hilliard Umpherville and Charlene Head.
Wendel said he’s filing the final report for Indian Affairs today, and said they actually did the swearing-in for chief and council on Friday.