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Tanya Aguilar-Antiman (Stone) has been re-elected as chief in the 2023 elections. (Submitted photo/Curtis Cameron Photography)
Chief and council elections

Aguilar-Antiman (Stone) re-elected chief in MGBHLM

Nov 2, 2023 | 2:41 PM

It was an exciting time for Mosquito, Grizzly Bear’s Head, Lean Man (MGBHLM) First Nation as the community wrapped up its elections for chief and council Wednesday night.

Incumbent Tanya Aguilar-Antiman (Stone) finished with a wide lead for the position of Chief. She claimed 411 votes, surpassing contenders Danny Starchief who came in with 127 votes and Agatha Rose Eaglechief who garnered 49 votes.

Aguilar-Antiman (Stone) is excited to be continuing in the position of Chief.

“I’m overwhelmed with joy and the support from our membership,” she said. “It was a long campaign, but we’ll continue on with business. We continued with meetings this morning, so we have to keep on going. It’s exciting, for the next two years, we have some very big projects here in the nation.”

For the councillor positions, five individuals were elected: incumbents Celest Sanders-Moosomin who picked up 262 votes, Sanderson (Sandy) Wahobin with 197, and Deborah (Debbie) Stone 177, as well as two newcomers: Rusty James Pahsaknunk with 173, and Angus (Gus) Spyglass who received 161 votes. A total of 34 candidates were vying for the councillor roles.

Aguilar-Antiman (Stone) said she is looking forward to getting on with some projects that have long been in the works for the First Nation now that the elections are over.

“We have a new Firehall coming to the nation, renovations to the band office, and a 40-unit subdivision coming up in the nation,” she said.

Aguilar-Antiman (Stone) noted the First Nation’s Economic Development Corporation is also planning big projects, including creating a new interpretive centre and art gallery that should be completed in the fall of 2024.

“There will be other business projects within the Battlefords [that the First Nation} will be exploring and working with, with the province, the city and the [federal government],” she added. “It’s a really exciting time for Mosquito, Grizzly Bear’s Head, Lean Man. A lot of work has been done. We can continue without delays.”

Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow