FORT CHIPEWYAN — Members of the Mikisew Cree First Nation are expected to head to the polls June 20 after leadership confirmed preparations are underway for a community election delayed three years by wildfire-related disruptions.
In a notice to members, the First Nation said the election will be held on Treaty Day, marking the first vote since the previous election was postponed in 2023 due to wildfire evacuations affecting the region.
The nation said a formal election announcement is expected in the coming days, with nominations anticipated to remain open until approximately June 6.
Leadership also addressed an ongoing Federal Court application launched by a member seeking changes to how voting is conducted in the upcoming election.
According to the notice, the application seeks to require online voting and the use of a polling station in Peace Point.
Mikisew Cree First Nation officials said amendments allowing broader use of online voting were considered during a special general meeting held Feb. 22, 2025, in Fort Chipewyan.
The proposed changes were brought forward under the First Nation’s 1996 Custom Election Regulations but did not receive the majority support required for approval.
As a result, leadership says the current election must proceed under the existing customary election rules.
The First Nation also cited a 2021 Federal Court decision in Waquan v. Mikisew Cree First Nation concerning polling station locations.
According to the notice, the court determined the replacement of the Peace Point polling station had become an unwritten custom through long-standing practice and therefore forms part of the election process.
Leadership said it remains bound by both its customary election regulations and applicable court decisions.
“While we had also hoped for amendments in February of 2025, we must follow our laws and Court decisions,” the notice states.
“As such, because we are following our law and the Federal Court decision, we fully expect an election will proceed on June 20, 2026 as required under our election law.”
The notice says a court hearing related to the application is expected to be scheduled on June 10, 11 or 12.
Mikisew Cree First Nation officials say they are co-operating with the court process and continue preparations for the election later this month.
The Mikisew Cree First Nation is one of the largest Indigenous communities in northeastern Alberta, with members residing in Fort Chipewyan and throughout the region.
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