Cheam First Nation elects new chief Wednesday

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CHILLIWACK — Members of Cheam First Nation east of Chilliwack have elected a new chief.

According to election results posted at 9:59 p.m. Wednesday night (Dec. 6) on the Cheam First Nation Facebook page, members there have elected Darwin Douglas as its next chief. Douglas received 111 votes compared to current chief Andrew Victor’s 96 votes.

Douglas wrote in his election platform that Cheam First Nation must strive to enhance community infrastructure and services in areas such as housing, children and families including children in care, youth sports and recreation, inherent rights and title, health and wellness, leadership and governance, elders, education, language and culture, and food sovereignty. He stressed the need for regular dialogue with Cheam members and pledged to hold regular community meetings.

“Our people need to be heard and included in the decision making that happens,” Douglas wrote in his election platform dated November 28 on the Cheam First Nation Facebook page. “I am committed to host community meetings and give our members opportunity to have their voices heard. We can bring our community back together to be strong, proud people. We have been divided for too long. Together, we can build a community that is strong, resilient, healthy and prosperous. Let us work in hand to empower Cheam, preserve our cultural heritage, and create a brighter future for all.”

Councillor Stephanie Fredette was reelected alongside new councillors Lincoln Douglas, Lisa Douglas, Raymond Douglas and Michael Victor. Lisa Douglas was the highest vote getter of all candidates with 114 votes. A total of 208 ballots were cast each for both the election of chief and council.

According to Facebook posts from Cheam First Nation, Chief Victor had touted the collective success of Cheam in breaking barriers and sharing important successes including:

• Required the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure to listen to Cheam’s concerns with Highway 9 and the Agassiz-Rosedale Bridge to develop a plan for improvements, such as speed limit reduction, crosswalk with amber flashing lights, multi-use path for pedestrian/cycling safety between Victor Drive and Yale Road, and development of a traffic management plan during highway closures.
• Ceremony for signing the MOU (memorandum of understanding) with Fraser Health and FNHA (First Nations Health Authority) that provides culturally safe overdose prevention services, culturally safe substance use monitoring, and referrals to other services.
• Updated the finance policies and work towards implementing a financial administration law.
• Engaged CN Rail to address the severe impacts to the Cheam Cemetery. CN Rail is committed to work with Cheam to implement solutions.