The Caldwell First Nation has elected a new chief and council members.
Nikki van Oirschot has been elected as the new Chief of Caldwell First Nation. She ran against current Chief Mary Duckworth and Councillor Larry Johnson.
"I am deeply honoured by the trust placed in me by our Nation," said Chief van Oirschot. "I look forward to the important work ahead and cherish the opportunity to serve our community and move forward on the issues that matter most to our members. This is a moment of transition and growth, as we stand on the shoulders of our previous leadership and ancestors who have set a strong vision for a healthy and prosperous Nation with all our relations."
Some of the new chief's key priorities include economic growth, inclusion and engagement, transparency, education, and youth empowerment.
“Our leadership is not about exerting power, but about serving our people with kindness, humility, and dedication,” Chief van Oirschot said. “Words alone cannot build our community—it’s time to turn those words into actions that improve the daily lives of our members.”
Randy DeGraw, Melissa Reid, Stanley Scott, and Ian Duckworth were all elected as councillors
The transition to the new government will take place over the next 10 days. These members will hold their positions for a three-year term.