Piikani Nation hosts candidate forum as election day looms

By Ry Clarke - Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on December 29, 2022.

The Piikani Nation is gearing up for its upcoming election on Jan. 9 hosting candidate forums around southern Alberta to help inform voters in the lead up to voting.

On Tuesday, members of the Piikani Nation in Lethbridge gathered at the Public Library’s Main Branch to hear from those running.

The forum allowed candidates running for Chief or council to present their platform to the audience along with why voters should consider them for the position.

Issues were raised surrounding housing, the economy, and the future of the Piikani Nation, with candidates stressing the importance of community and unity for Indigenous nations.

“It is an important time for the election because there are current issues that we are dealing with, both federal and provincial governments, as well as industry. It is important that our nation members come out and vote, exercise their right to vote,” said Wesley Crow Shoe, incumbent councillor. “The last election was held in January 2019. We have several candidates running for seats of Chief and Council. I believe we have five candidates running for Chief, and 31 running for council.”

A full list of candidates can be found at piikanination.com/category/news.

Holding its previous election four years ago, candidates will tailor their platforms to new innovations and ideas going into the future.

“Change is always something that I look at as a positive thing,” said Crow Shoe. “There are new people putting their names forward, and it will be an interesting outcome to this election. I am looking forward to it.”

Hoping to get their voices heard, candidates presented to the forum on their stances and what they would bring to the table if elected.

“There is a lot of things going on in our community. What I see happening in our community that is really concerning to me is there seems to be a lot of anger and frustration in our community,” said Adam North Peigan, running for Chief. “It has triggered a lot of lateral violence to be thrown at each other and it is sad. I guess the reason why that happens is because the community is feeling that they are being left out, they are not being included when it comes to governance-making decisions. […] I want to make that commitment that should I be elected chief, I commit to having regular community meetings and being able to report back to our community and get the mandate from our community about the direction that we should be going.”

Candidates were targeting many problem issues that exist for Piikani.

“Health is a passion of mine,” said Carolynn Small Legs, also running for Chief. “Health is a component in every program from education, housing, and child and family social development. Health is a component of all of those programs and services. Whether it is mental health, emotional health, physical health, and even spiritual health. They are all encompassing in all our programs and services. We need to be aware of the opportunities for our people to grow to become healthy. I am not wanting to reinvent the wheel, it takes time and costs a lot of money. I would like to build on wise practices that other communities have done.”

Another forum will be held in Pincher Creek at the Ramada Meeting Room, 1132 Table Mountain St, Thursday Dec. 29, from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Advance voting opened in Calgary on Dec. 28, at the Delta Hotel S, closing at 8 p.m. Lethbridge residents can access early voting on Dec. 30, at the Sandman Hotel, 421 Mayor Magrath Dr., from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., with election day polls opening Jan. 9 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Community Hall in Brocket.

“I would like to encourage as many people to come out and vote, and I wish all candidates well,” said Crow Shoe.