Glenn Hudson, former Peguis First Nation chief
By Trevor Greyeyes
Summertime is here with the sun shining brightly and does anybody want to talk about the next Peguis First Nation chief and council election in spring 2027.
The last election had its opening day (advance polling) on March 28, 2023, with April 6, 2023, as the actual election day.
If that were still true, we’re about 240 plus days away from the next election and I have no idea when you can register or what it takes to register to run for chief and council. More to follow on registration and requirements in months to come.
Or about eight months away if we are going by the calendar.
Let’s talk about it though.
While the official registry is more than half a year away, there are some people who have declared whether through interview or Facebook post that they’re planning on running for chief in Peguis First Nation.
Take the current Peguis FN leader, I did get a chance to speak with current Peguis First Nation Chief Stan Bird.
And yes. He fully plans on running in the next election.
“What we’re trying to do, given the amount of money spent for elections,” said Bird, “we’re trying to have our own people trained.”
“Even if they’re not fully trained, for example if they participated in the trust elections as an electoral officer, right. We want our people trained in that area.”
He said the administration is currently writing letters to the government to access the training.
“We’re hoping to have a contract by the end of August or beginning of September to have that done,” said Bird.
Now, this is where it also helps to talk to your local newspaper about the issues important to your campaign.
Bird talked about people living in Winnipeg and Selkirk with the needs for Peguis band members living in those areas are different.
“One of the things that comes up most often when discussing with people is the need for an office in those areas,” said Bird. “The need to expand the council seats is another one.”
He talked about the need for elders’ residences in both Winnipeg and Selkirk.
For Bird though, the need to expand an economic base that goes further than what the government provides.
“We need to create our own economic base, so we don’t depend on the government to fund this and that,” said Bird.
Earl Stevenson, lawyer, announced on Facebook, “As you may be aware, I am planning on running to be elected Chief of Peguis First Nation at our next general Band Election. There has been a great deal of support for which I very much appreciate.”
Stevenson said his upbringing instilled a strong work ethic through years of helping his family with bush work, logging and household chores.
He later worked as an electrician on numerous Peguis projects, fought forest fires, served as the First Nation's Treaty Land Entitlement coordinator, and was part of the negotiation team for the TLE and 1907 Illegal Surrender claims.
After earning his law degree at the University of Victoria, he practiced Indigenous law in British Columbia, working with nationally recognized lawyers on Aboriginal rights, Impact Benefit Agreements and First Nations economic development.
And former Chief Glenn Hudson said, “My plans will be known on nomination day.”
However, he while pointing out the flaws in the last election like the burning of ballots and supporters of his turned away from a polling station that even if he decides not to run wishes anyone running for chief in the next election the best of luck.
One Peguis member who is already talking about the election is George R. Robinson.
Robinson has said he does not intend to run for chief. He sees his role differently, as an off-reserve member trying to increase participation and push for dedicated representation for Peguis members living away from the reserve.
“As an off-reserve member and advocate for our Missing and Murdered People, it has become increasingly evident that representation for our people is lacking,” Robinson said.
He said working from the outside looking in has shown him that off-reserve members need representation inside the rooms where decisions are made and within the political offices that influence those decisions.
Robinson believes that if a much higher percentage of off-reserve members participate in the 2027 election, chief and council will have no choice but to reconsider what representation should look like.
“The goal is not to take resources, funding, or representation away from on reserve members,” he wrote. “The goal is to build dedicated off reserve representation.”
Robinson argues that the need becomes especially visible during searches for missing people and when members require help navigating health care, the court system or organizations receiving funding to provide services. He said leadership is rarely seen advocating for dedicated search funding or for programs and services specifically serving off-reserve Peguis members.
He is not presenting the issue as an attack on any particular leader or organization. He is identifying what he sees as a gap.
Peguis has long developed infrastructure, programs and services for its on-reserve population. Robinson’s argument is that the Nation now needs to build a comparable level of representation for the thousands of Peguis members living elsewhere.
Please tag all Peguis members who have never voted in an election or on a referendum.
Many Status Peguis people believe that having a Treaty Status card automatically means they are a voting member of Peguis First Nation. This is not the case.
Your Secure Certificate of Indian Status confirms that you are registered under the Indian Act with the Government of Canada. It does not confirm that you are a voting member of Peguis First Nation.
Peguis First Nation controls its own membership under Section 10 of the Indian Act and maintains its own membership list. It is that membership list, not your Status card alone, that determines whether you are recognized as a Peguis member for voting purposes.
If you are unsure, contact the Peguis Membership Clerk and request written confirmation that you are a Peguis member and eligible to vote. Email in comments, I also drafted a letter you can copy and paste into your email. Include a picture of your status card and your information.
Understanding the difference between Indian Status and Peguis membership is important. They are related, but they are not the same thing.
Now, if anyone wants to talk about their plans to run for chief, Terra Indigena is always willing to sit down and talk.