Draft recommendations prompt questions about public input, accountability and support for the volunteer committee
By Jim Wastasecoot
PEGUIS FIRST NATION — The Peguis Governance Committee presented draft recommendations for the 2027 election at an Oct. 19 community meeting, urging clear ballot safeguards and independent election administration while raising concerns about council’s response to its work.
The meeting at Peguis Community Hall also brought questions about who would gather members’ feedback, how existing governance policies are being followed and when Chief and Council would formally address the committee’s recommendations.
Committee chair Mavis Stevenson said Peguis already has policies and governance tools, but their effectiveness depends on consistent use.
“The problem is not that Peguis has no rules. The problem is that the rules must be followed,” she said.
The five-member advisory committee was appointed to review governance matters and recommend improvements. Its proposals are not adopted election rules.
In written comments supplied following the meeting, committee secretary Terry Brown emphasized that distinction.
“The Committee’s job is not to run the election or make the final decision. Our job is to give Chief and Council and the people of Peguis a clear, practical framework that protects confidence in the process,” Brown said.
The committee recommends retaining one chief and six councillors, continuing under the First Nations Elections Act and avoiding new residency, education or drug-testing requirements for candidates.
Brown said the approach reflects concern about introducing major changes while the previous election remains under legal challenge.
“After the challenges surrounding the previous election, our recommendation is to put stability first,” he said in his written comments. The previous election was challenged by former Chief Glenn Hudson which is now under appeal in the Federal Court.
The proposed framework calls for paper ballots, mail-in voting for eligible electors making valid requests, polling locations in Peguis, Winnipeg and Selkirk, and optional advance polls.
It also recommends a certified independent electoral officer, safeguards against conflicts of interest and documented procedures for securing and transporting ballot boxes to a centralized public count in Peguis.
“Members should be able to understand how the voters list is prepared, how ballots are protected and transported, how votes are counted and what happens if a result is close,” Brown said in his written comments.
The committee’s follow-up material identifies April 6, 2027, as the understood expiry of the current term, subject to confirmation. It says the exact election day remains to be confirmed within the lawful election window.
At the meeting, Cindy Spence stressed that proposed nomination fees of $250 for chief and $200 for councillor had not been approved.
“These are recommendations from the committee,” she said. “This is not yet passed.” She suggested the Committee insert the word “draft” on its’ summary document which was handed out.
Discussion turned repeatedly to how members would help shape the proposals.
Chief Stan Bird questioned the absence of contact information on the handout and asked where people should send questions and suggestions after leaving the meeting.
“I really want the involvement of the people to look at this,” Bird said, adding that their comments could strengthen the document.
Councillor Terrence Sinclair asked what community engagement had taken place in preparing the presentation and supporting material. Stevenson said the public meetings were an opportunity to present the committee’s work to members.
Community member Bruce Sinclair called for a membership vote, arguing that public approval would give governance changes greater strength.
Bird said he envisioned the document returning to members after the community discussions.
“So it’s the people that will decide, not chief and council,” he said.
Brown said leadership and administration should take responsibility for organizing further consultation, rather than leaving that work to five volunteers. The committee had tabled its recommendations and needed direction on the next steps, he said.
The discussion reflected a broader concern outlined in the committee’s Oct. 4 opening letter: limited communication with council.
The letter says the committee presented an update at a duly called council meeting June 8 but had received no formal response. It also describes an unsuccessful attempt to bring the committee, council and administration together Oct. 3.
The committee acknowledged that a wake was taking place and thanked Chief Bird for attending. Its concern, the letter says, was that members had not been told the meeting would not proceed as expected and had received little response to follow-up efforts.
“Chief and Council are elected individually, but they are entrusted to govern collectively for the people of Peguis,” the letter states.
It says the recommendations are intended to strengthen systems, policies and practices rather than criticize individual elected officials or administrators.
Asked about councillors’ absence from the October meeting, Councillor Mary Tyler Bear said she had another meeting and apologized for not attending. Bird said several deaths within a short period had required councillors to support grieving families.
Later, asked when council would respond to the committee’s work, Bird pointed to competing demands involving flooding, banking and housing, as well as difficulties coordinating schedules.
“It’s a priority amongst priorities,” he said.
Pressed on whether council would address it, Bird replied: “Yeah, we’ll get to it.”
He did not give a date.
Committee member Dolores Daniels presented an overview of the existing governance policy, covering council oversight, financial accountability, meeting records, conflicts of interest and reporting to members.
“Policies are what drives an organization,” Daniels said.
Stevenson and Brown said difficulty obtaining the policy’s supporting appendices had delayed the committee’s review. Bird confirmed that administration had also struggled to locate the documents.
Stevenson agreed the committee could recommend publishing the appendices on the Peguis website.
The meeting also addressed governance concerns involving Peguis Child and Family Services. Stevenson called for disclosure of records, independent legal advice and proper council consideration of disputed matters.
“We are not asking council to accept every public allegation as a proven fact,” she said.
She urged council to bring the disputed CFS extension process before a duly convened meeting, with documents circulated in advance, an opportunity for questions and debate, and a recorded vote.
“A BCR is not just a signature page,” Stevenson said.
Asked whether the chief’s ex officio membership on boards and committees extended to the Peguis CFS board, Stevenson replied that it was a legal question and the committee members were not lawyers. Terra Indigena asked the committee to find out.
Members also raised the need for easier contact with the committee and greater recognition of Peguis traditions in governance.
Sharon Francois urged the inclusion of ceremony and traditional ways of governing. Stevenson said tobacco had been offered for the opening prayer as part of respecting those practices.
The Oct. 19 gathering was the first of three scheduled community presentations, with meetings planned for Selkirk and Winnipeg on the following two evenings.
In his written comments, Brown described the principle behind the committee’s work:
“Good governance does not require everybody to agree. It requires decisions to be made through a clear, lawful and respectful process that members can have confidence in.”