Eva Clayton has been re-elected as president of the Nisga’a Lisims Government, easily besting her closest competitor, H. Mitchell Stevens, by 958 votes to 454.
Voting day for Nisga’a national and local government positions was held Nov. 4 but final votes were not released until the weekend once mail in, electronic and other ballot counting was complete.
This was the third presidential election in which Clayton and Stevens have faced each other.
Elected first in a 2010 by-election, Mitchell defeated Clayton in the next full election in 2012 only to be defeated by Clayton in 2016.
Nisga’a elections are held every four years.
Also running for the presidential spot were Sheldon Martin who received 322 votes, Matt Moore who received 147 votes and Brad Mercer who received 38 votes.
Brian Tait is returning as chairperson of the Nisga’a Lisims Government, one of the top four key Lisims positions, by collecting 1044 votes to 928 for Jacob McKay.
Corinne McKay, who had been secretary-treasurer, was defeated in her reelection bid by Charles M. Morven, 1,111 votes to 818.
Also defeated was Willard Martin who lost his position as chairperson of the council of elders to Herbert Morven who collected 773 votes to 573 for Martin and 575 for Julia Adams.
In Prince Rupert, Clifford Morgan and Juanita Parnell will be back as the two representatives of the Prince Rupert/Port Edward Nisga’a Urban Local.
Calvin Morven was elected as the chief counsellor for Gitlaxt’aamiks (New Aiyansh) with 170 votes, taking over from Keith Tait who received 79 votes and Keith Clayton who received 134 votes.
Elaine Moore is the new chief councillor for Gitwinksihlkw, defeating Arthur Azak by 55 votes to 49. Charles Morven, elected as chief councillor in 2016 did not run again.
Donald Leeson becomes the new chief councillor of Laxgalts’ap, defeating outgoing chief councillor Henry Moore by 139 votes to 118 votes.
Claude Barton is the new chief councillor in Gingolx with 94 votes compared to 51 for Floyde Stevens and 49 for Alexcee Franklin. George Moore, elected as chief councillor in 2016, did not run again.
In Terrace, Keith Azak is returning as one of two representatives of the Terrace Nisga’a Urban Local and he’ll be joined by Arthur Mercer.
There’ll be two new representatives for the Vancouver Nisga’a Urban Local — Andrea Doolan and Lawrence Stephens. Travis Angus and Sheldon Martin did not run again.
