Photo: Tracey Kim Bonneau

Newly elected councillors

The Penticton Indian Band’s Chief and council is whole once again.

The First Nation announced the results of a controversial byelection late Wednesday night.

Five councillors were selected from eight nominees.

• Kyle Alec                                                            91 votes
• Ernest Jack                                                       132 votes
• Fredrick “Fred” Kruger                                       162 votes
• Joan Phillip                                                        140 votes
• Inez Pierre                                                         145 votes

There were 197 ballots cast with 5 spoiled ballots.

The five newly elected councillors will join Couns. Suzanne Johnson, Clint George, Elliott Tonasket and Chief Chad Eneas. 

The full council will meet for its first meeting Dec. 5, according to a news release.

“We are so proud of all of our community members and their passion for being involved,” Chief Eneas said. “We welcome the newly elected council and look forward to their fresh perspectives as they each contribute their own personal and professional experience for the whole of the community.”

The byelection was marked by protests from an opposition group aligned with former Chief Jonathan Kruger, calling for an entirely new election. The dissidents argue the PIB government collapsed and lost quorum following the five council resignations.

The federal government declined to get involved in the dispute, citing the bands custom election code — which is mostly silent on the quorum issue.

The disagreement also saw the PIB take six former councillors to court for allegations of blocking band business.