Penticton Indian Band elects new chief

The Penticton Indian Band has new leadership this morning.

The band has elected Greg Gabriel as their new chief following an election yesterday, Oct. 19, according to a Penticton Indian Band media release.

Gabriel will be sworn in today. He received 107 of 358 ballots while incumbent chief Chad Eneas, elected in 2016, received 80 votes and finished fourth.

Gabriel is a former band administrator who has served more than 34 years in a management capacity with the Penticton Indian Band.

The unofficial results are as follows:

  • Greg Gabriel 107
  • Tim Lezard 82
  • Joseph Pierre 81
  • Chad Eneas 80
  • Brian Jack  8

Nominations for council positions will be held tonight, with voting scheduled for Dec. 7. 


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Steve Arstad

Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

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