Petition to Oppose the August 2024 Kehewin Cree Nation Election Act Referendum

The upcoming referendum that proposes to change Kehewin's Election Act directly affects every member of the Kehewin Cree Nation. It threatens to destabilize our electoral system, and takes away our democratic rights to choose who want to lead us. Our Election Act was developed by Kehewin members and represents the Nation's desire for fair representation. If this referendum passes, it could lead to significant changes in how we make decisions in our Nation. This isn’t just an abstract issue; it’s about the future of our Nation's voice in its own governance, impacting our families, our traditions, and our collective future.

What is at Stake?

The very integrity of the Kehewin Election Act and how our Nation governs itself is at stake. Our membership has been confronted with leadership that constantly attempts to violate our voter rights. Our current Election Act is a vital framework that ensures our elections are conducted fairly and transparently. If this referendum succeeds, it could result in the further erosion of our rights to choose our leaders freely and fairly, leading to a loss of trust in our electoral process. On the other hand, if we stand together to protect the Act, we safeguard our right to self-determination and maintain the stability and fairness that our community depends on. The future of our governance and the preservation of our democratic values hang in the balance.

Why is Now the Time to Act?

Now is the critical moment to take a stand. If we don’t act now, we risk losing the democratic principles that our Nation has worked hard to build and maintain. More importantly is our membership will be forced allow the existing leadership to dictate the future of how and who will lead us. The consequences of inaction could be long-lasting, affecting not just us, but future generations. By signing the petition and opposing this referendum we have the power to protect our rights and ensure that our voices continue to be heard.

We need to be concerned about the upcoming referendum scheduled to take place from August 19 to 22, 2024. This referendum seeks to amend critical sections of the Kehewin Election Act in which we believe are changes that are not in the best interest of leadership and not our community. Furthermore, we want to ensure that nominations and elections for Chief and Council occur as per schedule for September 2024.

This is our moment to make a difference—let’s not let it slip away.

Petition: Urgent Opposition to the Referendum Scheduled for August 19 to 22, 2024

We, the undersigned members of the Kehewin Cree Nation, are deeply concerned about the upcoming referendum scheduled to take place from August 19 to 22, 2024. This referendum seeks to amend critical sections of the Kehewin Election Act which we believe are changes that are not in the best interest of our community. 

Furthermore, we want to ensure that nominations and elections for Chief and Council occur as per schedule for September 2024.

The following proposed amendments are summarized for this petition however, each proposed amendment will appear in full context on the upcoming Referendum which is to be held in Kehewin Cree Nation and Edmonton on August 19 to 22, 2024:

Article 9 (A): Extending the term of the Chief and Council from three years to four years.
Article 10 (D): Changing the requirement for all candidates to "must" speak Cree instead of "should" speak Cree.
Article 10 (1): Removing the provision that limits Chief and Council to serving only two consecutive terms.
Article 12 (B): Changing the location of the main polling stations to Kehewin and Edmonton.

Our Concerns:

• Procedural Irregularities: The timing of this referendum does not comply with the required 40-day notification period, raising questions about its legitimacy and fairness. The process in which any proposed changes can be made to Kehewin Election Act has not been followed and that these changes were made by a few members who are acting in the interests of current leadership.
• Voter Representation: The previous referendum had a limited turnout, with only 220 out of approximately eight hundred eligible voters participating, which is insufficient under our current Kehewin Election Act.
• Community Impact: These changes could significantly alter the governance structure and electoral process of our Nation without proper representation and community input.

We Urge All Voting Members to:

Oppose the Referendum: Reject all proposed changes to the Kehewin Election Act.
Ensure Proper Due Process: Advocate for a fair and transparent electoral process that respects our community’s established Kehewin Election Act which ensures meaningful participation.

To Immediately Identify:  An Electoral Officer for Kehewin Election 2024 and that their name is made public. Further, in accordance with Kehewin Election Act, we demand that the Electoral officer is not a member of Kehewin Cree Nation.

To Ensure: That nominations for Kehewin Cree Nation Chief and Council occur on or before September 8, 2024.

To Ensure: That Kehewin Cree Nations elections for Chief and Council occur on or before September 29, 2024, with polling stations made available to members residing in Edmonton, Calgary, and Kehewin Cree Nation.

We, encourage Kehewin Cree Nation registered members who are 18 years of age and older to sign this petition and show your opposition to the proposed amendments and to call for a legitimate and inclusive Election. Your support is crucial in ensuring that our governance remains fair and representative of all voting members of Kehewin Cree Nation.

For more details or to express your concerns directly, please contact Doris Gladue at Kehew121@gmail.com. Your participation is vital to preserving the integrity and fairness of our upcoming electoral process.

Thank you for your support.

Petition to Oppose the August 2024 Kehewin Cree Nation Referendum

Due to the format of this platform we need actual signatures! We urge members to print out the petition and sign it. Either scan it or take a picture of it and email it to: Kehew121@gmail.com  

Note: To sign this petition, please provide your full name, Treaty number and date it. If done online please provide your email.

Printed Name (First and Last name);

Kehewin Cree Nation #123 Status/Treaty Number:

Date:

Signature:

Email: