Two new council members were elected to join the Akisqnuk First Nation council on Monday, June 18.

Lucille Shovar and Stephen Nicholas were voted by band membership to sit on the First Nation’s five-person council. They will join Chief Lorne Shovar and Councillors Beatrice Stevens and Marguerite Cooper, whose terms run until 2014.

Shovar, who previously worked for many years in the First Nations’ administration, received the most votes of any candidate — 67. This will be her second term on council after previous service in the late 1990s.

“I hope to bring back the spirit in the community,” said Shovar of her goals for her term. “Help get us back on track and build pride and togetherness.”

Nicholas, a young father, is a newcomer to the council. He was elected with 53 votes. He was not available for comment.

Shovar and Nicholas defeated two other candidates to win their positions. Incumbent Allan Nicholas and Melanie Sam were unsuccessful in their bids. Another incumbent councillor, Samantha Sam, did not seek re-election. Election terms at the Akisqnuk First Nation are four years and are staggered so as to retain some continuity on the council. The next election, for chief and two councillors, will occur in 2014.

—Submitted by Adrian Bergles, Communications Co-ordinator for Akisqnuk First Nation