26 Candidates including Sharleen Gale compete in crucial FNFN election

FORT NELSON, B.C. — Members of Fort Nelson First Nation (FNFN) head to the polls on August 21st.

26 candidates, including incumbent Chief Councillor Sharleen Gale, are up for seven spots. 

Gale has served on the council for well over a decade, obtaining her current title in 2020.

Gale has spoken about industry development within the forestry sector for FNFN and is a director on the First Nations Major Project Coalition, an organization supporting First Nations involvement within major infrastructure and industry projects.

She has however, received a growing amount of criticism within the media.

An article published from The Tyee this week alleges mismanagement of funds, including an interest-free loan given to Vancouver based Peak Renewables totalling $1 million for advancing a wood pellet facility to be located in the Fort Nelson area in 2020.

According to the article, the facility was planned for a 2022 startup but has yet to see development.

The article, written by Ben Parfitt, also alleges there are concerns regarding $6.7 million that was advanced to FNFN Forestry LP, which the First Nation says was “established to enter forestry operations,” in the region but has produced no revenue.

In a statement on Facebook on August 20th, FNFN denied the claims in the story.

“This article is full of errors and inaccuracies,” reads part of the statement. “With only a minimal effort, [Parfitt] would have discovered our current forestry work is based on salvage operations, and has been jointly planned and approved with the involvement of the lands department.”

“This is not journalism. This is a hatchet job that contributes to lateral violence within our community by dividing us.”

Terms for elected officials in the First Nation go for two years. 

Polls for the FNFN election close Wednesday evening at 8 p.m.