April 11, 2020
CHIEF AND COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENT
Gordon First Nation Elections Update:
Good day GGFN Members,
Chief and Council of the George Gordon First Nation have made an unprecedented decision to the term of Chief and Council on an emergency basis, effective March 27, 2020, until September 27, 2020. The Nation conducts its elections pursuant to the First Nations Elections Act, First Nations Election Cancellation and Postponement Regulations (Prevention of Diseases) – due to COVID-19 pandemic.
The Decision was made after the Chief, Council, and Elders Committee postponed the Election scheduled for April 9, 2020, in an effort to protect the community members from the highly infectious COVID-19 (Coronavirus) which has been declared a global pandemic, resulting in GGFN declaring State of Emergency and limiting access to our on-reserve members to prevent the spread the virus.
The most important factor considered in reaching this decision was the health and safety of every Community Member of the George Gordon First Nation, in particularly, protecting our Elders and vulnerable members from the spread of COVID-19.
In these uncertain times, and in response to many calls and messages from our community membership, Chief and Council will be involved in the decisions and actions required to protect our members of the George Gordon First Nation against COVID-19.
As I’ve said before, it’s in the best interest of our leadership to practice communication as often as we can with our members. Some members might feel as though they are not being heard or their questions haven’t been answered. I can assure you we are working as quickly as we can to provide answers to your questions. Information will be provided as new information is received to members as often as we can.
We understand with the added pressure of elections combined with the Pandemic crisis, it can become quite stressful on nominees & current leadership. However, we ask our members to remain positive and continue to present your questions and concerns, it gives our leadership and members the opportunity to work together and solve these problems.
Friendly Reminder: Please be aware that ALL GGFN communications released over social-media regarding Band Operation Matters will be done so by Chief, Council, and the Director of Operations.
Please be patient and kind to each other, we are in this together.
Meegweetch,
On Behalf of Chief and Council
Harriett Walker, Director of Operations
