Lennox Island First Nation heads to the polls

Lennox Island First Nation's 695 voters headed to the polls on Saturday to elect a chief and a handful of councillors.

Polls opened at noon at the reserve's elementary school and the nice weather brought a high turnout. The polls close at 8 p.m.

• Lennox Island First Nation holds election Saturday

Three people are running for chief: incumbent Matilda Ramjattan and band members Stevie Bernard and Tim Bernard.

Ten candidates are vying for the two on-reserve council seats. Three people are seeking the off-reserve council position.

On the wish list for some voters at the polling station Saturday weremore infrastructure and job support from the federal government, and more after-school programs for youth.

We're all getting up there, and the elders, they need to be taken care of.- Patricia Smart, Lennox Island voter

Some also said the reserve needs a seniors residence for elders.

"We're all getting up there, and the elders, they need to be taken care of," said Patricia Smart. "We need a nursing home here so they're not far from their families."

Sadie Mitchell said she hopes whoever is elected chief will put the needs of the community first.

"You gotta be there for the people, not just in there for yourself," she said.

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