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THEBACHA/FORT SMITH
A vacancy has been filled on Smith's Landing First Nation (SLFN) band council without a vote being cast.

Elizabeth Stirrett: acclaimed to a council seat with Smith's Landing First Nation.

Elizabeth Stirrett was elected by acclamation when the nomination period closed on July 24 for a byelection and she was the only person to put her name forward.

Stirrett previously served a three-year term on council up to 2010.

When asked why she ran again, she explained she likes politics.

"I enjoy making decisions, I guess because I live on the reserve," she said. "I know the programs and services that are on the reserve. I'm familiar with the policies."

The GNWT employee lives in the so-called Bordertown, which is Smith's Landing reserve land just across the NWT/Alberta border from Fort Smith. While SLFN has its reserve land in northern Alberta, many of its members live and work in Fort Smith.

Al Dumont, the electoral officer for SLFN, said that, in accordance with the customary election regulations for the band, Stirrett will be eligible to take office on Aug. 8, which is the day after when voting would have been held for the by-election.

Stirrett said she will develop her objectives as a councillor once she learns the specific goals of the current council.

"I don't know what the agenda is right now," she said.

With her acclamation to council, Stirrett will serve a year until the next regularly scheduled election.

The byelection became necessary with the resignation of Gabe Sepp.

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