Walter Mineault elected as leader of Métis Nation of British Columbia

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Results have been released from the 2024 Métis Nation of British Columbia (MNBC) elections which ended on September 7th.

Dawson Creek’s Walter Mineault has been elected the new MNBC president.  In a landslide, Mineault won 1303 of a possible 2655 votes.

The turnout was up from a 2021 presidential by-election, when 1455 Nation members cast votes.

Having previously served as a regional director, Mineault was elected the Nation’s vice president in a 2022 by-election before running for the top position.

He made a statement on Facebook after his victory, saying he was “beyond humbled” to represent his people as president.

“Over the last several months, I have been traversing the province, sharing my political aspirations and listening to yours,” said Mineault. “I will do my best to ensure that I can do what we need to positively evolve as a Nation.“

“To serve in this capacity has been a long-time goal, and I feel like I’m living a dream.”

In a closely contested election for Region 7 director, incumbent Paulette Flamond defeated her opponent, Jolene Van Wieringen, by three votes, 122 to 119. A recount will confirm the results. 

The number of ballots cast for northeast B.C.’s regional director was nearly doubled: 241 were counted, compared to a mere 121 in 2020. 

Flamond posted on Facebook on Saturday evening that she was “confident” in a recount. She said that after three months of campaigning to maintain her position, she “deserved a holiday.”

“I would be honored to serve my people for another four years, and I feel at peace with the direction that Creator will lead me to,” said Flamond in a social media post earlier in the day.

“I have campaigned in a good honest way with integrity as a servant leader.”

Narrowly missing out on the director’s chair, Van Wieringen took to Facebook on Sunday evening to express her gratitude toward the Nation’s constituents despite coming up short.

“Sometimes life comes down to the smallest margins, but I am at peace with how it all turned out,” said Van Wieringen. 

“It was a good run, and I am excited to keep moving forward in the best way.”

Terms for MNBC positions run for four years, with the next election scheduled for 2028.

Full results can be viewed here.