Many familiar names on the ballot for election

What’s old is new again and that is certainly the case with many familiar names included on the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan 2023 list of nominated candidates for chief and council for the upcoming election scheduled for March 25.

There are a total of six nominees for chief and 36 for council. 

Under the election system, a member can let their name stand for both chief and councillor, but they have until February 7 to allow their name appear for only one position in order to be on the final ballot. 

Current Chief Wendy Jocko, who is in the last few months of her first term, is among the six individuals running for chief. Chief Jocko, a former 23-year army veteran who comes from a long line of relatives who have served in the Canadian Armed Forces including six uncles who all fought in World War Two, has devoted much of her term towards Residential School survivors and their legacy as well as promoting First Nations in the Armed Forces. 

Greg Sarazin will be making his third straight attempt to once again be head of council. Sarazin has been a vocal opponent of the process that led to Pikwakanagan becoming a member of the Algonquins of Ontario and has lobbied for a new vote to determine the future of the community. 

Lisa Meness, who finished third in voting behind Jocko and Sarazin in 2020, and up until Jocko was elected, was the first female chief in 50 years when she served four years at the at the turn of the millennium. She has been active in various economic development projects on the reserve for several years. 

Current councillors Jim Meness and Steve Benoit are joined by new comer Michael Ott as the nominees for chief. 

Right now, the odds are one in six of securing a seat for the 36 individuals who are vying for a councilor position for the next term. 

Five current councillors, Merv Sarazin, Steve Benoit, Angelina Commanda, Barb Sarazin and Jim Meness have let their name stand along with Chief Jocko.  

The other nominees are: Alanna Hein, Amanda Two-Axe Kohoko, Amber Hein, Andre Carle, Candace Bennett, Catherine Bernard, Charles Caron, Claudette Cournoyer, Crystal Kohoko, Dale Benoit-Zohr, D. Dennis Sarazin, J. Donald Bilodeau, Hilda Tanascon, Joanne Haskin, Justine Belaire, Karen Whalen, Kellie Cooke, Kerry Andrews, Leah Hinterberger, Loretta Nadeau (Budgie), Marlene Sackaney-Keeling. 

Rounding out the list is Natalie Commanda, Patrick (PJ) Leroux, Shelley Belaire, Shelley Wilcox, Sherry Kohoko, Taylor Ozawanimke, Thomas Sarazin and Vicky Two-Axe. Two nominations, Francis Sarazin and Wendy Recoskie, were submitted but later withdrawn. 

It is worth noting only one member of the current council not nominated is Councillor Dan Kohoko.  

The eligible nominees will be declared after the February 7th deadline. The new official list will be published and a candidate’s platform is scheduled for February 11 at the Makwa Centre. This is an opportunity where the candidates can address members on their respective platforms. 

Unlike the last three elections where much of the focus was on the role of Pikwakanagan in the Algonquins of Ontario (AOO) and the question of whether their membership in the 10-member federation. Pikwakanagan held a vote that asked the residents whether they wanted to join or remain independent. Supporters of joining argue that neither the province or federal government have made it known there will be no land treaty negotiations with an independent Pikwakanagan.

Those opposed argue that Pikwakanagan is the only member of true Algonquin heritage and that by joining, they lose the right to negotiate their own future, and that includes the issue of status for the residents. It appears the debate is over, however, some nominees have indicated it will part of their platform.

The election, which will be overseen by Kassandra Sackaney, the Elections Officer. Is scheduled for Saturday, March 25 with one polling station open at the Makwa Centre from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m.