Members of Zagime Anishinabek disputing results of recent election

A number of members from Zagime Anishinbek are raising concerns over a recent election held on their nation. Mick Favel has the details.

A number of members of Zagime Anishinabek are raising concerns over the legitimacy of a recent election held on their nation.

On Sept. 6, a new chief and council were elected in accordance with the Zagime Anishinabek Election Act.

The act was voted on by the nation in April, and allows electronic voting, candidacy requirements based on member feedback, and a less costly appeal process.

A week prior to the election, on Aug. 21, Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) notified the nation not to use the new act as it had not yet been reviewed by the agency.

The organization would go on to say ISC would not recognize a new chief and council under the new act.

• Download the CTV News app to get breaking news alerts sent to your device

Cameron Sangwais is a member of Zagime Anishinabek. He said roughly 20 members of the nation are disputing the election outcome.

“We want to determine some kind of legitimacy to the election which has taken place. We feel that their electoral term is over and they have no legal recourse with which to act,” Sangwais said. “All of those things in which they are doing are in contradiction to fair and just governance.”

Earlier in the week, five members of the group traveled to Regina to deliver a letter directly to ISC related to their concerns.

Here they learned about possible options to appeal the decision.

“ISC received approximately 5-9 requests to adopt new electoral systems annually. First Nations are expected to follow process as prescribed by the respective acts, regulations and policies relevant to their requests,” the organization said in a statement.

The department recognizes the named chief and councillors as being elected Sept 6, 2025.

A ministerial order to formally remove the nation from the First Nations Elections Act has not yet been obtained and the department is working with the nation to support this transition.

ISC does not have the authority to investigate or decide on election matters under First Nations Act or custom codes.

Lynn Acoose is the chief of Zagime Anishinabek. She is supportive of the election results.

“The Zagime Anishinabek Election Act meets or exceeds the requirements of the First Nations Election Act,” Acoose said. “The election was conducted fairly and transparently and increased access to democracy for our membership, as it is evidenced by the significant increase in voter turnout.”

Through a Facebook post on their page, the chief and council acknowledged members concerns and welcomed respectful engagement.

According to ISC, there is a 30-day appeal process open to those who oppose the election results.

“I wish we teach other people and amendments are made so this cannot happen again,” Sangwais said.

“It wasn’t done correctly. No other nation should go through this again.”