The Nits’ilʔin-Qi (chiefs) of all six Tŝilhqot’in communities have voted on a new tribal chief, vice-chief, secretary and treasurer for the Tŝilhqot’in National Government (TNG).
Nits’ilʔin Otis Guichon Sr. of Tŝideldel First Nation is the new tribal chief of TNG, with Nits’ilʔin Francis Laceese of Tl’esqox First Nation as vice-chief. Nits’ilʔin of ʔEsdilagh Troy Baptiste was appointed as Secretary Treasurer.
The vote, which usually takes place in December every year, was postponed to March 20 as Tl’etinqox First Nation wrapped up elections following the resignation of Nits’ilʔin Joe Alphonse who led the community for 16 years. Alphonse had also been TNG’s tribal chief.
TNG is the governing body for the Tŝilhqot’in people. The Tŝilhqot’in Nation is comprised of six communities located throughout the Tŝilhqot’in (Chilcotin) territory and is the only Nation in Canada with a court declaration of Aboriginal title (Tsilhqot’in Nation v. British Columbia).
