The recently elected chief and council of Garden River First Nation were ushered into their roles as elected leadership during an oath of office ceremony at the community’s recreation centre Wednesday night.
Ogimaa-Kwe Karen Bell is the first female chief in the First Nation’s history after defeating former chief Andy Rickard by nearly 200 votes in the Sept. 19 elections. Bell has since taken a leave of absence from her role as sergeant with the Anishinabek Police Service, which has been her employer for more than three decades prior to being elected chief.
“You were very clear with your votes: you sought change, you wanted change — not only at the table, but also for the nation — as we are here today to commit to a brighter future,” Bell told community members during the ceremony. “I stand before you today with an unwavering pride that you have trust and confidence in me as the leader as the large First Nation known as Garden River, and that I will do the best for the nation and all of you, each and every one of you, whether you live on reserve or off reserve.”
Kari Barry, Darwin Belleau, Lee Ann Gamble, Kristy Dawn Jones, Travis N. Jones, Chester Langille, Luanne Povey and Candace Sim were formally introduced as band councillors during the ceremony.
Barry addressed the “negative buzz” in the community during the lead-up to elections by pledging more communication and accessibility for membership, which will be a “big step” in restoring faith in its elected leadership.
“I would really like the community to regain confidence in chief and council, and I think it’s really important that we be transparent in our decision making,” Barry said.
Returning council member Chester Langille said the community saw decisions being made based on the size of family, or friends and relationships, “as opposed to the interests of everybody.”
“That’s something that I don’t see at this table,” said Langille. “This table, from the first three meetings I’ve had, are talking about how we ensure transparency, how we ensure accountability.”
For the first time in the community’s history, terms in office will now be four years as opposed to just two, while the councillor positions have been reduced from 12 to eight.