Mina Holmes has been elected Tribal Chief of the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council.
Holmes, a member of the Tl’azt’en Nation from the Lht’sumusyoo Clan, beat out Mary Teegee and Kathaleigh George for the position, which became available when for Tribal Chief Terry Teegee became Regional Chief for the Assembly of First Nations. Results of the election have not been officially posted, however Holmes posted an election thank you on her Facebook page.
“I would like to acknowledge the hard work of Kathaleigh George and Mary Teegee of Takla Nation,” Holmes posted. “It has been an honour to be part a this historic election in CSTC history. You are both amazing women I forward to working with moving forward. I especially must acknowledge my team, Jessica Erickson (Nadleh) and Cheryl Pierre (Tl’azt’en). Your strength and courage to stay the course of this campaign, your laughter and willingness to stretch our energies to the limit will forever be in my heart. You both inspire me.
“Mussi to all our families who encouraged us, sent us good medicine and love. Mussi to everyone we met with. We listened to you. We heard your concerns, ideas and hope for CSTC.”
Holmes has a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Fraser Valley, which she obtained while raising her children as a single mother. She has worked for the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council for the past year-and-a-half.
The Carrier Sekani Tribal Council is comprised of seven Dakelh and Sekani First Nations with an office located in Prince George. CSTC provides political and technical support to member communities in the areas of fisheries, education, economic development, community and infrastructure planning, forestry, financial management, and negotiations.
Teegee congratulated Holmes for the victory and vowed to continue to continue working for Carrier Sekani people.
“I ran because I truly believe our time is now to capitalize on the opportunities we have before us and also to create new opportunities,” Teegee said. “Each of us have a role in strengthening our Nations and I promise you, I will continue to fight the good fight. I will continue to advance our vision of self governance and I will continue to use my voice to speak for those who can’t speak for themselves.”