Penticton Indian Band’s new chief says he wants to restore trust, confidence in leadership

The Penticton Indian Band has elected a new Chief.

Greg Gabriel, a former band administrator, will take the helm.

Gabriel defeated four other opponents, including Incumbent Chief Chad Eneas, who served in the position for four years.

Gabriel, who will be sworn in on Tuesday, received 107 of 358 ballots cast by members.

Eneas, who was elected in 2016, received 80 votes, finishing fourth.

Gabriel served almost 35 years in a management capacity with the Penticton Indian Band, the band said in a press release.

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Tim Lezard had the second-highest number of votes (82), followed by Joseph Pierre (81), Eneas (80) and Brian Jack (8).

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Gabriel said he ran for office to restore public trust in the band’s leadership.

“There were a lot of concerns that I’ve observed, and a lot of community members weren’t happy with what was happening — the lack of communication and transparency, and I was approached to allow my name to stand for the chief’s position, so I agreed,” he said.

Restoring confidence in the PIB’s elected representation will be his first priority, he said.

“There is a lot of division in our community and that is one of my priorities, to try to bring our community back together and keep them informed and up to date on issues,” he said.

The election was managed by Victoria-based lawyer Marcus Hadley, who was appointed as a third-party electoral officer, according to the statement.

The PIB’s government structure elects a Chief and council every four years under a custom election system.

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The band council is composed of a Chief and eight council members.

The band held nominations for all the council positions on Tuesday, October 20, 2020.

On Wednesday, the nominations were announced. They include Eneas and Lezard and 23 others, including five current members of the band council.

• Charlene Roberds (band council)
• Carlene George (band council)
• Vivian Lezard (band council)
• Fred Kruger (band council)
• Suzanne Johnson (band council)
• Tucker Armstrong
• Julia Barber
• Tracey Bonneau
• Tony Eneas
• Clint Gabriel
• Crystal Gabriel
• Lesley Gabriel
• Kevin Gabriel
• Ernest Michael Jack
• Lavern Jack
• Victoria Jaenig
• Dolly Kruger
• Joe Kruger
• Nicholas Kruger
• Jen Lewis
• Percy Lezard
• Nancy Schmidt
• Laurie Wilson (Cerenzie)

Council elections are scheduled for Dec. 7, 2020.