Piikani Nation elects new council

By Ry Clarke - Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on January 12, 2023.

The results are in.

Following the Jan. 9 Piikani Nation General Election, there is a new Chief and council ready to serve. Troy “Bossman” Knowlton has been elected as the new Chief, along with a council of eight members elected.

Election results were posted to the Piikani Nation news website around noon on Jan. 11, following an announcement of a recount posted the day before. A recount was called on Jan. 10 at 7 p.m. in reference to a candidate’s request.

The recount added unforeseen circumstances delaying the results until the next day. Voting for the election was not administered electronically, and instead ballots were counted by hand.

Knowlton won the election with 450 votes, beating runner up Adam North Peigan who had 186 votes, followed by Carolynn Small Legs with 135. In the race for council, 31 candidates were vying for the eight seats up for election.

Those securing a seat at the table were Neil Sharp Adze, Jr. (360), Wesley Crow Shoe (358), Helen Flamand (340), Albertine Crow Shoe (334), Jordan No Chief (323), Cynthia “Cindy” Provost (308), Dimples Stump (281), and Martin Iron Shirt (235).

With nominations held on Dec. 14, 2022, followed by less than a month of campaigning, the new council and Chief will serve the Piikani Nation for the next four years.

A full list of candidates and their vote count can be viewed online at piikanination.com/news.