Crystal Smith has been re-elected as Haisla Nation Chief Councillor in a landslide victory.
With almost 200 votes over the runner-up, Crystal won with a total of 347 votes.
The other candidates who attempted to knock off Smith as a chief councillor were, Paula Smith who polled 158 votes, and Jeffery Sherstabetoff who polled 81 votes.
A total of 588 ballots were cast in this year’s election.
Some of the main issues Smith plans to work on in her new term include housing, mental health and preservation of Haisla language and culture.
In regards to economic development, Smith plans to continue to maintain the nation’s relationship with local industry groups, like Rio Tinto and LNG Canada, while also advancing work on the Cedar LNG Project which is half-owned by the Haisla Nation, she stated in an interview to a local radio station.
Current Haisla Nation councillors, Brenda Duncan who polled 374 votes, and Taylor Cross who polled 382 votes were re-elected as well.
Out of 588 ballots cast, Haisla Nation members also voted in three new councillors — Harold Stewart with 295 votes, Keith Nyce with 393 votes, and Alexander Grant with 315 votes.
The four other candidates who ran for council were but were not elected were, Enrique Carillo, Dentin Grant, Justin Grant and Robert Nelson.
Lucille Harms and Margaret Grant, who were Haisla Nation’s previous councillors stepped, down from their position during this year’s election and did not rerun for council.
The Haisla Nation has a total of ten people on the council but only five were elected this year as Haisla nation members elect five new councillors every two years.
READ MORE: Haisla Nation announces final list of candidates for 2021 council election