Three people are running for chief and twenty candidates are vying for eight positions on council in the upcoming Qalipu Mi’kmaq Band election in Newfoundland and Labrador on October 23.
Incumbent Brendan Sheppard is seeking re-election as chief. His challengers include current Corner Brook Ward Councillor Brendan Mitchell and Shane Snook.
Erica Samms Hurley and Hayward George Young are running for the Western Vice-Chief position. Joseph Bouzanne and Terry (Jack) Mills are running for the Central Vice-Chief position.
Candidates for three positions on council have been acclaimed. Andrew (Andy) Barker was acclaimed as the Ward Councillor for Exploits. Calvin Francis was acclaimed as Ward Councillor for Gander Bay. Jason Fenway was acclaimed as the Ward Councillor for Port au Port.
The following candidates are running for the remaining seats on council:
Ward Councillor: Benoit’s Cove
- Bernard White – incumbent
- Kevin Barnes
- Blain Ford
Ward Councillor: Corner Brook
- Brian Dicks
- Gregory Dahl White
Ward Councillor: Flat Bay
- Ben Bennett – incumbent
- Dean Joseph Simon
Ward Councillor: Glenwood
- Francis Skeard – incumbent
- Constance (Connie) Stanford
Ward Councillor: Stephenville
- Gerald Joe White – incumbent
- Gerard Joseph Alexander
- Kenneth Bennett
- Don Cormier
- B. Stephan Young
Ward Councillor: St. George’s
- Karen Maria White – incumbent
- Arlene Blanchard-White
Advance polls will be open on October 17 for band members who wish to vote in person in advance of the election.
Polling stations will be open on October 23 at the following locations:
- Benoit’s Cove
- Corner Brook
- Grand Falls-Windsor
- Flat Bay
- Gander Bay
- Glenwood
- Port au Port
- Stephenville
- St. George’s
Band members are also being given the choice of voting by mail. Ballots can be downloaded on the Qalipu Mi’kmaq Band website, qalipu.ca.
