North

Liard First Nation to elect new chief today

Polls are open in the Liard First Nation election. The First Nation has seen conflict this year, and many are hoping the election will bring about change.

The Liard First Nation is voting today for a new chief and six council members. 

Liard First Nation members describe an atmosphere where politics are tangled with family grudges. This year there have been protests at the Liard First Nation office and disputes over spending and accountability.

Polls opened at 8 a.m. and will close and 8 p.m. Polls are located at the Yukon Inn in Whitehorse, the community school in Lower Post, B.C. and the main electoral office in Watson Lake.

Five candidates are running to replace Liard McMillan as chief, and 28 are running for six council positions. 

The First Nation works alongside the Daylu Dena Council in Lower Post, B.C. 

Two candidates are running for the post of deputy chief there, and five candidates are running for the two seats on council reserved for B.C. members.