As Chief of Qalipu First Nation, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who participated in the recent federal election. This democratic process is vital to our community, and it reaffirms our collective commitment to preserving our cultural identity.

I commend each candidate who worked tirelessly throughout their campaigns. Putting oneself forward in such a public way is no small feat, especially in the face of criticism that can often be harsh and impersonal online. It takes resilience, passion, and unwavering dedication to navigate these challenges and stay the course.

During the election, a quote shared by a friend deeply resonated with me, “May you never know the fear of having your human rights challenged every time there is an election, and may you never know the pain of watching loved ones vote against your right to exist fully, equally, and authentically.” I hope this sentiment inspires reflection in all who read it.

Every day, we have the opportunity to make choices that shape a brighter future. Kindness and respect require little effort, yet their impact is profound. Let us strive to set an example of love and humility for the generations to come.

As we move forward, we remain connected to our traditional government, the Mi’kmaq Grand Council. Together, we will continue to strengthen relationships across what is now known as Canada.

Finally, I would like to extend a warm welcome to our newest council member, Holly Muise. Holly was successful in our St. George’s by-election and will be joined by members of council and her loved ones to be officially sworn in on Sunday. We are thrilled to have her join us this term and look forward to her representing the voices of our members in the St. George’s region.