SADDLE LAKE – Voting day for the election of chief and council for Saddle Lake Cree Nation will be on June 11, with the Chief being selected on June 18.
The band council consists of nine councillors whose responsibilities include program and service delivery, financial management, policy development and implementation, and negotiations with the federal government to secure funding and resources.
Lakeland This Week left phone and e-mail messages for Chief Electoral Officer Steve Wood, but did not receive a response by press deadline.
“The Chief and Council play a vital role in shaping the Nation’s future and addressing the needs of its members. Their efforts to increase federal funding and bring in new programs and resources are crucial for the community’s growth, development, and prosperity,” according to the Saddle Lake Cree Nation’s website.
Saddle Lake is the second largest First Nation in Alberta, with a registered population of 11,285 people, according to their website. This includes 6,757 on reserve members and 4,528 off-reserve. The 2024 estimate on the Government of Alberta website puts the on-reserve population much lower at 3,847.
According to the candidates list being circulated on social media, there are 50 people running to be elected, including all eight members of the current band council. The ninth member, Chief Terry Cardinal, died two years into his term as Chief. He was succeeded by Chief Jason Whiskeyjack.
In alphabetical order, the nominees are:
- Darrell Brertton
- Leona Brertton
- Benita Cardinal
- Billy C. Cardinal
- Charles A. Cardinal - incumbent
- Clifford H. Cardinal
- H. Carlos H. Cardinal
- Kenton F. Cardinal
- Loretta J. Cardinal
- Mary Jane Cardinal - incumbent
- Michael T. Cardinal
- Ronald A. Cardinal
- Rose Marie Cardinal
- Sherrie L. Cardinal
- Sheryl F. Cardinal
- Kevin A. Delver - incumbent
- Toni-Rose George
- Lester R. Half
- Wendy Virginia Half
- Derrick Houle
- Jordache E. Houle
- Pauline L. Hunter - incumbent
- Allan G. Jackson
- Leonard B. Jackson
- Edwin Lapatak
- Winston Blair Lapatak
- John E. Large - incumbent
- Dickie Makokis
- Eddy Makokis
- Mitch Makokis
- Rick Makokis
- Benedict McGilvery
- Darcy McGilvery
- Cora Moosewah-Houle
- Darryl C. Pasquayak
- E. Pamela Quinn
- Henry B. Quinney
- Raymond C. Quinney
- R. Eric Shirt - incumbent
- Arthur C. Steinhauer
- Cherrilene Steinhauer
- Dale E. Steinhauer
- James R. Steinhauer - incumbent
- Zowie Steinhauer
- Nitasha Swifteagle
- G. Jason Whiskeyjack - incumbent
- Joshua L. Whiskeyjack
- Julien A. White
- Roland J. White
- Vivian M. Wirth
