Elders decide Bear Island election

Temagami First Nation
News Release

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Bear Island, Lake Temagami - Today, at the Bear Island Recreation Centre, the Council of Elders, (a quasi-judicial body charged with rendering final judgements on election appeals) ruled that the two appeals duly submitted did not affect the outcome of the election on July 30, 2009.

Finally, 137 days after their land slide victories, Chief Roxane Ayotte and Second Chief John McKenzie can at last take their place as the rightful leaders of the Temagami First Nation.

Chief Ayotte is quoted as saying: “At last, after eighteen months, the expressed voice of the people has finally been heard, I have been deeply moved by the power and spirit of this community, I am so optimistic about our bright future, we are a very strong people!”

Second Chief McKenzie is quoted as saying “The people have supported us for a long time and now we have the opportunity to serve them as their representatives."

After 18 months of hardship imposed by an election fraught by improper actions of the electoral officer, a new day has dawned for the Temagami First Nation, our custom of a free, fair and democratic government has been restored to the Temagami people.

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