Electoral Commission

Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) is governed by a democratically-elected Council for four-year terms. The rules governing these elections are contained in the 1981 Squamish Indian Band Election Regulations. Since their creation, the 1981 Election Regulations have not undergone a single change or amendment. In September 2015, the elected Squamish Chiefs and Council approved the creation of the Electoral Commission as an arms-length body of Members to assist the Squamish People in exploring the topic of election reform.

Composition

The Electoral Commission is made up of seven (7) voting members, two (2) alternates, and one (1) non-voting member. The members chosen for the Commission were asked to fill specific seats representing a particular region or demographic of the community. The Squamish Nation Electoral Commission’s term expired at the end of 2019 and Council acknowledged and thanked Dave Jacobs, Christine Baker, Crystal Ricketts, Clarissa Antone, Jacob Lewis, Donalene Rapada, Shayla Jacobs, Renee Campbell, and Brittany John for engaging with the community and incorporating the communities’ feedback which was implemented into Election Law. This was stated in the Quarterly 1 Report (January-March 2020).

On January 23, 2020, Council appointed the members for a four-year term from 2020 to 2024.The current Electoral Commission positions are as follows:

Elder

Les Harry

My name is Les Harry, and my ancestral name is Hawaleren. I am the Elders representative on the Squamish Nation Electoral Commission, and this is my first term.  My mother is Gwen Harry (Baker), and my Father was the late Ernie Harry. I applied to be on the Electoral Commission because I wanted to be more involved in the community. With my experience, I can help the Commission in the upcoming referendum and Council Elections.

Les Harry
Squamish Valley

Jonny Williams

My name is Jonathan Williams and I am the Squamish Valley representative on the Squamish Nation Electoral Commission. This will be my first term. My Squamish lineage is from my mom and her name is Charlene Williams. Her parents are Richard Williams and Linda Williams. Wilfred (Doc) Williams, Josephine Williams, Allen Lewis and Elizabeth (Betty) Lewis were my great grandparents. I grew up in the Squamish Valley. I have been involved with the community and culture since I was a child. I applied to be on the Electoral Commission because I wanted to learn more about how our governance system works and the people who do this work. I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this good work going on in our community.

Jonny Williams
Xwmel’chtstn (Capilano)

Crystal Ricketts

Crystal Ricketts (née Paull) is from the Squamish Nation. Her parents are the late Johnny & Johanna Paull (née Mission). Both were registered Squamish Nation members, but Johanna is originally from the Ktunaxa Nation. Crystal is involved in many Indigenous projects and sits on various Indigenous boards and committees. She is passionate about family, change in policies, and the decolonizing process for Indigenous people across Canada. She is the Capilano representative, and this is her second term. Crystal will graduate with her Masters in Education in the Summer of 2021.
Crystal Ricketts
Eslhá7an & Ch’ich’ílx̱wiḵw’

Kathleen Smith

My name is Sosulyia, Kathleen Smith. I am the eldest daughter of Carole Newman, Yataltanaut (t) and Thomas Walton. My grandparents are Florence John & Harry Newman. My husband of 31+ years is Bruce Smith. After working several years in the hospitality industry and in my mid-thirties, I went back to school and got a Bachelors of Business Administration (BBA). I also earned a Certified General Accountant designation. (CPA-CGA). I worked for 22 years in the Squamish Nation Finance Department as an Accounting Manager and retired in November 2019. Since retiring, I was looking for another way to make a contribution to the Nation when I saw the call out for Electoral Commission members. I am proud to be the Mission/Seymour representative. I look forward to building on the hard work the previous Commission members did, and implementing the updated Electoral code.
Kathleen Smith
Off-Reserve

Saul Joseph

My name is Saul Joseph and I am an off-reserve representative on the Squamish Nation Electoral Commission. My Squamish Nation lineage is from my dad, Chief Floyd Joseph. My grandparents on my dad’s side are the late Larry and Rose Joseph (née Tom). I was born and raised in Victoria and moved back to Vancouver in 2014. I am a lawyer, who practices all areas of Indigenous Business, including: corporate and commercial, Aboriginal and Treaty rights and other Constitutional matters, environmental and governance. I wanted to be on the Commission in order to contribute to the community and to assist in this expression of the Nation’s inherent jurisdiction.

Saul Joseph
Youth

Brittany John

My name is Brittany John and I am the Youth Representative on the Squamish Nation Electoral Commission. This will be my second term. My dad is Robert John and my grandparents are Victoria ‘Vicky’ John and the late Jimmy Gillespie and the late Louie John. My mom, Mona, has lineage from Tseycum First Nation and St̓át̓imc Nations. I grew up outside the community, but I really started to pay attention to Council elections about 12 years ago. I applied to be on the Electoral Commission because I wanted to be more involved in the community. I feel very fortunate to be a part of this good work and look forward to seeing our new Squamish Nation Election and Referendum Law in action during our upcoming Council elections.

Brittany John

Membership Registrar (non-voting member)
Monica Jacobs

Important Documents

The Membership Registrar, provided he or she is not a candidate or a Squamish elected official, is a non-voting commission member and must not be counted for the decision of quorum, but for all other purposes is considered a full commission member. This is outlined on page 41 of the Squamish Nation Election and Referendum Law in Section 5.1.3(b).

Election and Referendum Law (Approved by membership on December 6, 2018)
Election and Referendum Regulation (Approved by membership on November 5, 2019)
Council Election Timeline for September 26, 2021 Vote

Questions?

If you have any questions about the Electoral Commission, the Nomination process, and the upcoming elections, please contact us via email at info@snelectoralcommission.com.

Main Office

320 Seymour Blvd
North Vancouver, BC, V7L 4J5
604-980-4553

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