News

Posted June 1, 2020

 “Our Election. Our Way.” 

ATIKAMEKSHENG ANISHNAWBEK, Ontario (June 1, 2020) — Voting in the 2020 Atikameksheng Anishnawbek election is now underway.   

This historic vote is being conducted like never before, under the First Nation’s new custom election code and via online electronic voting. This new law, Gimaakeng Naaknigewin, governs the process and conduct of the Gimaa (Chief) and Council election.  The code was ratified in January 2020. 

“We are so pleased to see our election moving ahead in our way. It is a significant step towards self-determination when we can select our community leadership using our own processes under our own jurisdiction,” said Gimaa Valerie Richer. 

In order to raise awareness of the election and get out the vote, the community is working to inform their citizens through online communications, including a new election website: http://atikamekshenganishnawbek.ca/elections/ and using its social media channels on Facebook and Twitter. 

The theme of the online campaign is “Our Election. Our Way.” – a means of raising awareness of this historic election – the first under the new custom election code. 

The path to developing the Gimaakeng Naaknigewin began years ago following approval of the Atikameksheng Chi-Naaknigewin in 2015.  The First Nation’s constitution was developed and approved to guide the community in how it would govern its own affairs and ultimately, how it would select their own leadership. 

The 2020 election process began with a nomination meeting on April 23, 2020.  Four (4) candidates are vying for the office of Gimaa, while seventeen (17) candidates have been nominated for the office of Councillor.  Five (5) are to be elected to the office of Councillor.   

For the first time in Atikameksheng history, the term for office has been increased from a two year term, the default under the Indian Act, to four years under the new election code. 

Having our own process will allows our citizens to vote from the safety of their living rooms.”

The in-person poll will be held on June 27, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Atikameksheng Anishnawbek Community Centre.  Any person on the Atikameksheng Anishnawbek Band registry and is 18 years of age or older as of June 27, 2020 is eligible to vote. 

Voters can also cast their vote via mail-in ballot. 

There is further history in the making for Atikameksheng.  Under the Gimaakeng Naaknigewin, there are provisions for conducting the vote using online electronic voting.  This is certainly timely given the public health concerns arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“Having our own process will allows our citizens to vote from the safety of their living rooms, as opposed to the prescribed restrictions under the Indian Act,” said Gimaa Richer.  Elected in 2018, Gimaa Richer is not seeking re-election. 

Electronic voting for Gimaa and Council election is open from today, June 1, 2020 at 8 a.m. until June 27, 2020 at 8 p.m. Atikameksheng citizens of voting age can access the One Feather voting site at https://onefeather.ca/nations/atikameksheng-anishnawbek.  Although this is the first electronic vote for Gimaa and Council in the history of the community, the community has used electronic voting in the past, most recently in ratifying the election code in January. 

Other COVID-19 precautions will be in place, including physical distancing at the polling station, Surfaces including pencils, marking stations and even the ballot box will be disinfected after each use.   

The pandemic has already had some impact on the 2020 election.  Ministerial approval of Gimaakeng Naaknigewin was delayed for a number of weeks this spring. 

Over the next 27 days, Atikameksheng will continue to update the community with timely information and instructions on how to vote.  A special community newsletter edition is planned, as is an online forum to answer questions posed by Atikameksheng citizens. 

---

---

Question: How do I vote?

Answer: If you are on the band membership list of Atikameksheng Anishnawebek, who is at least 18 years of age on the day of the election, there are three ways you can vote in this election:

---

1. ONLINE, ELECTRONIC VOTING

Online voting is open right now. It is easy and you can vote from the comfort and safety of home from any computer, tablet, iPad or smart phone. You do need to have your own email address.

STEP 1: Visit the OneFeather landing page https://onefeather.ca/nations/atikameksheng-anishnawbek to register with OneFeather & initiate the online voting process with your First Nation. Have your 10 Digit Status Card Number (Registry Number beginning with 224), Date of Birth and Personal Email ready.

• Click the red Register to Vote Button – Enter your Registry Number and Date of Birth.
• Click the red Register button.
• Click the red Register button again.

STEP 2: Check your email. You will receive an email with a confirmation link.

An email can be used only once to access a secret pin, you cannot use your email to help someone else.

• Click the verification link to confirm and activate your eligibility to vote electronically.

If you do not see the email within 5 minutes – check your Junk Email folder or Clutter folder.

Watch your email for a second email following immediately from OneFeather. This email will have your PIN (unique personal identification number) and a secure link to the voting event.

• Write down your PIN (always lower case)
• Click the link in the email to Vote.
• Confirm that you want to vote electronically. Check the box!
• Click the red Verify My Identity Box

Read the instruction pages – click Next when ready to proceed

Complete your identity verification – enter your PIN, Registry Number & Date of Birth.

STEP 3: Follow the voting instructions and cast your Vote for Gimaa & Councillor!

• Confirm your Vote.

If you encounter any issues during the voting process please contact Vaughn Johnston, Electoral Officer at vaughn_johnston@hotmail.com.

---

2. MAIL-IN BALLOT

In the next few days (provided we have your address) you will receive a mail-in ballot package in the mail. Open your package, read and follow the instructions provided.

Your ballot must be received by mail or hand delivered to Vaughn Johnston, Electoral Officer by Saturday, June 27, 2019 by 8:00 pm (EST).

Step 1: Your Ballot will be on coloured paper and it will have the Electoral Officer’s initial on the back.

• Gimaa (Chief) Ballot: you may cote for only one (1) candidate;
• Councillor Ballot: you may vote for up to five (5) candidates. It will not allow you to vote for more than 5 candidates; however, you may vote for less than 5 candidates.
• Mark the ballot by placing an X or ✓ in the box beside the Candidate(s) for whom you wish to vote.

Step 2: Place your ballot inside the Secrecy Ballot Envelope and seal it.

Step 3: Place the Secrecy Ballot Envelope into the Declaration Envelope and seal it.

Step 4: Complete and sign the outside of the Declaration Envelope in the presence of a witness who is at least 18 years of age.

Step 5: Enclose the sealed, signed and witnessed Declaration Envelope in the Return Envelope, with the prepaid postage and seal it.

Step 6: Fill out your name and address in the top left corner of the stamped Return Envelope.

Step 7: Drop off at any Post Office (allow ample time for delivery) or hand deliver on Election Day. All mail-in ballots must be received by the Electoral Officer no later than June 27, 2020 at 8:00 pm (EST).

---

3. AT THE POLLING STATION ON ELECTION DAY

The Official Voting Day will take place on Saturday the 27th day of June 2020 from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Community Centre, Atikameksheng Anishnawbek. Please bring one piece of ID with your name and picture.

---