The names are still be collected for the ratification vote on the Lheidli T’enneh Treaty.

The ratification vote is set to take place in the last week of March and may be held at a number of different locations throughout the province as not all eligible voters reside in the Prince George area. Band Councillors say the vote could be held in places like Vancouver and Prince Rupert in addition to Prince George and the Shelly Reserve. “The Eligibility and Enrolment staff have been on the road and making visits” says Chief Dominic Fredrik.

The Band has set 70% acceptance as the threshold for acceptance of the Treaty. There is no clear indication yet of how many names have been added to the list of eligible voters.

This is not the only vote on the Band’s mind at the moment. The Lheidli T’enneh have their elections for Chief and Council just around the corner.

Tomorrow is the deadline for nominations and the election is set for March 9^th.

Chief Dominic Fredrick says he will run again “Some of the elders have talked to me in terms of whether I should or not ,( run again) it looks positive, so I will be running again” says the Chief.

There are some who suggest the election is an opportunity to test the water for the treaty vote, others argue it will let the Lheidli T’enneh plan for the future “Previous elections have been based on what one planned to do in regards to the treaty process” says one Band member who adds with the Treaty nearly done, there will need to be some new ideas, new platforms, “What we need now is a new bridge and some really good roads”.