By Tricia Thomas

Klahoose First Nation has a new chief, while three other communities have re-elected their leaders after recent elections in Naut’sa mawt communities.

Kevin Peacey, a previous council member at Klahoose, was voted in as the nation’s new chief on April 12.

In an emailed statement to the Sentinel, Peacey thanked outgoing chief James Delorme for six years of leadership.

“The members have spoken and change is coming, in a very positive direction,” Peacey said. “I’m proud to serve my community, now in the capacity as chief. I’m very happy to work hard together with the new council for the benefit of our nation. We also look forward to working in a good way with all the neighboring First Nations in this region.”

Councillors are incumbent Billy Barnes, Helen Hanson and Michelle Robinson.

At Tsleil-Waututh Nation, an all-woman chief and council were chosen in a close election  decided on March 30. Incumbent Chief Maureen Thomas and councillors Michelle George, Jen Thomas, Liana Martin, Charlene Aleck and Deanna George were sworn in on April 10. Through their Sacred Trust Initiative, TWN is standing strong in their ongoing legal battles to protect the waterways from the Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion.

Stz’uminus First Nation elections on April 6th saw Chief John Elliott reinstated into the role he has held since 2009. All but two of the incumbent councillors were reelected, with the new council made up of Cecelia Harris, Roxanne Harris, Anne Jack, Andrea Sampson, Terry Sampson, Harvey Seymour, Herb Seymour, Peter Seymour and Shawna Seymour. Stz’uminus leaders have made visible changes to infrastructure and business growth through the nation’s Coast Salish Development Corporation, including a recent agreement with the Town of Ladysmith for an extension of the municipal water and sewer services to Stz’uminus.

Meanwhile, a good voter turnout at Halalt First Nation on April 12 saw the incumbent Chief James (Bert) Thomas and Councillors Dan Norris and Patricia Thomas re-elected. It was the seventh term for Chief Thomas and second consecutive term for the council. The leaders can now work toward completing some ongoing goals including a wastewater/sewer project, a gym expansion project, and the development of a separate housing authority.