Elsipogtog elects six women to council, achieving gender parity ‘for the first time in recorded history’

Elsipogtog First Nation inaugurated six women and six men to council recently following band elections.

It’s the “first time in recorded history” that Elsipogtog council had achieved that milestone, said Nation Administrator Bo Augustine in his remarks at the inauguration event on March 30.

Elsipogtog is the largest Indigenous community in New Brunswick, with an overall population of 3,678.

The community is governed by a chief and 12 councillors. Last term, the council consisted of 11 men and one woman.

Chief Arren Sock, elected for the first time in 2012, was re-elected by the community to represent them for another four years.

The councillors elected this year are Nerissa Augustine, Teagan Copage, Cameron Francis, Joe Jacob Francis, Amber Joseph, Sandi Joseph, Dean Francis Levi, Sharona Levi, Keyona Milliea, Jody Millier, Stephanie Simon, and Zachary Simon.

The celebration began with mass at St. Anne’s Catholic Church, followed by opening prayers from Elders Donna Augustine and Kenneth Francis, and a feast at the community hall where the chief and councillors were sworn in.

Sandi Joseph was encouraged by Elders and community members to run for council. “I was told I would make a good councillor for Elsipogtog, because they saw my strengths and experiences within the band office,” said Joseph, who worked in the finance department.

“I feel truly honored that Elsipogtog chose me to be their councillor. I am committed to do my best to represent Elsipogtog with transparency, integrity and dedication,” Joseph said.

She hopes to build her leadership skills and gain “more understanding of governance” over the next four years, along with the trust of the community.

Sharona Levi said  she ran for council partly because she grew up close to politics: her grandfather, the late Albert Levi, served as chief of Elsipogtog for over 26 years.

One thing Levi hopes to work on within the community is “reconnection,” she said. “I feel like we lost that, because I grew up in a community where we were all connected.” 

She remembers the days of visiting people for tea and playing cards.

“I am so happy that we’re really getting the matriarchal system back into our community,” Levi said. 

She said that as part of governance training, the group envisioned what they wanted for the community. 

“We’re moving things along, but we’re also having to take a look at what happened, what went wrong, how do we fix it?” Levi said.

“My heart has always been with the people… listening to their stories, sharing in their joys and struggles, and wanting to see everyone thrive,” said Keyona Milliea.

In Elsipogtog, a big part of campaigning involves visiting community members. “It was a really special experience,”  said Milliea. “I had the chance to sit with many people, listen to their stories, and hear what really matters to them.”

Milliea is proud to be a part of this historic moment. “To me, it shows that women’s voices matter, that they are being heard, and that they are valued.”

Stephanie Simon (my great-aunt), ran for council twice before. When family and friends asked her to run again, she was initially hesitant. 

With encouragement from the community, she decided to run one more time, “I was honoured being nominated, and to be entrusted by these women to have me represent the community,” she said. 

Simon believes the new council is “very knowledgeable” and that they can “go far” together. “It is really awesome, and it’s so comfortable in there,” she said. “You know, ’cause you have six women, and you have your six men.”

One of the issues Simon is most passionate about is ensuring proper care for Elders.“I got a lot of guidance from my mom and the Elders; they have a major role and a major part in our community.”

Simon’s mother (and my great-grandmother) Jane Alice Dedam, 93, expressed pride in her daughter’s victory and optimism about the new gender-balanced council. 

“It’s very trustful to have… half and half, and one chief, they’re very, very supportive to each other,” she said. “That’s all I can say. I’m so happy. And I’m glad that she is one of them.”

Anna-Leah Simon is a St. Thomas University student from Elsipogtog who recently completed an internship with the NB Media Co-op.