First female president of B.C.’s Nisga’a Nation says development is key

TERRACE, B.C. – An indigenous nation in British Columbia that became the first in Canada to win self-government has reached another landmark by electing its first female president.

Eva Clayton defeated incumbent Mitchell Stevens to head the Nisga’a Lisims government, leading the Nisga’a Nation of the Nass Valley in northwestern B.C.

The vote was held Friday and results were announced Tuesday.

Clayton says development is the key for the government to sustain itself in the years ahead.

Her nearly 30-year history with the Nisga’a includes assisting in negotiating the Nisga’a Treaty.

The pact established self-government and also became the first formal treaty signed by a First Nation in B.C. since 1854.

Clayton says her victory as president is not a complete shock, but she is still waiting for it to sink in.

“But our nation has spoken and it’s given me a vote of confidence to be their voice. Now it’s time for me, in accordance to the people, to bring the people up to the level of government to truly walk together as one.” (CFTK)