Unofficially, there are five people in the running for chief in next month’s Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation election.
According to PBCN chief electoral officer Randy Clark, incumbent chief Peter A. Beatty of Deschambault Lake is up against Karen Bird of Southend, Shavonne Custer of Pelican Narrows, Jason Linklater of Pelican Narrows and Tom McDermott of Denare Beach.
Beatty has been the band’s chief since 2013 and will be seeking his third term in office.
Meanwhile, Clark says Southend’s Simon Bird is the only incumbent band councillor not seeking re-election.
Nomination meetings were held in PBCN communities Tuesday night.
This will be the band’s second election under its new election act.
However, Clark says, for the first time ever, this election will including voting for the band’s elders’ council.
Voting will take place in 10 communities: La Ronge, Saskatoon, Prince Albert, Southend, Kinoosao, Sandy Bay, Pelican Narrows, Deschambault Lake, Sturgeon Landing and Denare Beach.
The PBCN election takes place April 10. Advance polls will be held April 3.
The successful candidates will serve a three-year term in office.
(PHOTO: Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation logo. Image courtesy of peterballantyne.ca)