Andrea Paul has been elected to serve a third term as chief of Pictou Landing First Nation in Nova Scotia.
Paul, 44, received a total of 179 votes, beating out her opponent Alden Joseph (AJ) Francis, who received 102 votes during the election which was held on November 26. Francis, 30, also lost his bid for a seat on band council.
There were 35 candidates running for six seats on band council. Dominic Denny (117 votes), Derek Francis (91 votes) and Gordie Prosper (62 votes) were re-elected to council. New councillors elected were Haley Bernard (86 votes), Barry Francis (86 votes) and Marshal (Mills) Phillips (66 votes).
Crystal Ann Denny and Wayne Francis lost their re-election bid to sit on band council.
The current chief and council’s term expires on November 29, 2015.
In an interview with Kukuwes.com on November 18, Paul promised, if re-elected, to enter into partnerships with outside organizations and businesses to help band members secure work in the trade fields such as carpentry and welding.
According to the federal Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada website, the yearly honorarium for chief is $52,000 and $21,000 for a councillor.
Pictou Landing First Nation, located 16 kilometres north of New Glasgow, N.S., has 483 band members on reserve and 176 band members located off-reserve.
