Ahead of the Nov. 18 shíshálh Nation hehiwus (councillor) by-election, Coast Reporter caught up with each of the three candidates. Carol Louie provided a written response to Coast Reporter questions.
Age: I am considered as an Elder, according to my age, but I have not earned the right as an Elder.
Contact: [email protected] or 604-399-8821
Introduce yourself. What is your experience or background?
Hello my ancestral name is Xwetelewet, my English name is Carol Louie, daughter of the late Albert Louie and Irene Louie (Nee Paul). I have three siblings, I am a mother of two and a grandmother of two. My experience is that I have worked for the Nation for 30 years off and on. My first job was reception for the Health Department, then I followed on to working in our finance department, then worked as our membership clerk and was elected as a housing trustee. Then I was a community health representative, and went on to work in income assistance. After that I was elected as a council member.
Why are you running for election?
Because I was asked by a couple of my Elders, they both know that I have been there to support them and others, like volunteering my time to arrange our youth soccer tournament, volunteering coaching our youth when my two children were young. I attended all youth soccer as well as our men’s and women's teams to cheer and support them, so they can represent our Nation and be proud. I am running because I will be a good asset to bring our Nation forward.
If elected, what projects or priorities would you focus on for the next two years?
If I get elected for the remaining term, my goals are to see if I can get more funding to build more homes for our people as we are short to accommodate our membership. I know it will take time, but I can start it.
Secondly, I would like to see funding from the government or private donations to build a gymnasium for the community. Mainly for our youth so they can be more active in more sports, not just soccer. More basketball, floor hockey, indoor soccer so our kids can be more healthy instead of being in front of a TV playing games.
Thirdly, after I left working at our local hospital for nine and a half years, my wish was to build a long-term care facility for our Elders. As I see that the two local long-term care facilities are closing, which is a shame for all the Elders who are occupying them.
What concerns have you heard from the public?
Housing has always been an issue for our community as we are growing very fast. We need to get our apprentice carpenters together to help build more homes for our waiting list. We also need to get our members to get their tickets as electricians, plumbers, drywallers, painters etc in order to employ our own people so that there is pride to be shíshálh. And the Nation needs to get into forestry so we can get our wood to build homes.
Advanced polls will be held on Nov. 12, from 2 to 6 p.m. Election day will be Nov. 18, and votes can be cast from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. They will take place at the shíshálh Nation community hall. Also running in this election are Randy Joe and Warren Paull.
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