The Westbank First Nation has reached a tentative deal with the province for a land swap to satisfy the requirements of the agreement that allowed construction of the Bennett Bridge. Photographer: John McDonald

He’s back: Controversial former chief challenging WFN’s Louie

WESTBANK FIRST NATION – Robert Louie is facing some tough and experienced competition to retain his role as Chief in the 2016 band election, including a controversial former chief.

Ron Derrickson is back on the ballot for Sept. 15. The former Chief and current Chief Louie have famously clashed in the past over governance of the band when Louie was part of a group attempting to oust Derrickson over allegations of mismanagement and corruption.

Louie sued Derrickson, current councillor Brian Eli and Harold J. Derrickson for defamation in the late 1980s.

Both men have held the chief’s chair numerous times.

Roxanne Lindley, daughter of one of the band’s first Chiefs, John Norman Lindley, has already declared her candidacy. Larry Derrickson rounds out the chief’s candidate list.

Electoral officer Karley Scott released today the list of confirmed nominees for the chief’s position and four council positions for the election.

All four current councillors, Mike De Guevara, Chris Derrickson, Mic Werstiuk and Brian Eli, have confirmed the nominations they received last week and will stand for re-election.

Another dozen council candidates have confirmed including Fernanda Alexander, Wilfred Barnes, Roberta Ell, Jolene Esau, Jennifer Fulton, Candace Jack, Deborah Jones, Thomas Konek, Jarvis McDougall, Chad Paul and Terri Tiljoe.

The band has roughly 550 voting members.

Chief Robert Louie and band councillors did not immediately respond to requests for an interview.

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John McDonald

John began life as a journalist through the Other Press, the independent student newspaper for Douglas College in New Westminster. The fluid nature of student journalism meant he was soon running the place, learning on the fly how to publish a newspaper.

It wasn’t until he moved to Kelowna he broke into the mainstream media, working for Okanagan Sunday, then the Kelowna Daily Courier and Okanagan Saturday doing news graphics and page layout. He carried on with the Kelowna Capital News, covering health and education while also working on special projects, including the design and launch of a mass market daily newspaper. After 12 years there, John rejoined the Kelowna Daily Courier as editor of the Westside Weekly, directing news coverage as the Westside became West Kelowna.

But digital media beckoned and John joined Kelowna.com as assistant editor and reporter, riding the start-up as it at first soared then went down in flames. Now John is turning dirt as city hall reporter for iNFOnews.ca where he brings his long experience to bear on the civic issues of the day.

If you have a story you think people should know about, email John at jmcdonald@infonews.ca

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