Pauline Goertzen
A northern B.C. First Nation could elect a white woman as chief next month, with the support of a number of community elders.
Pauline Goertzen was nominated as a candidate in a byelection for chief councillor of the Ts'il Kaz Koh First Nation (also known as the Burns Lake Band) after a meeting last week.
If elected on Feb. 11, she would oversee a community of just under 130 people whose reserve is located about 226 kilometres west of Prince George. "(It's) humbling and a huge responsibility," Goertzen told The Huffington Post B.C. on Monday.
She's running to replace Chief Albert Gerow, who stepped down last month to take a job with TransCanada Pipelines, The Georgia Straight reported.
Goertzen, who would be the band's first white elected official, runs a small business providing community development and anti-racism facilitation. She has worked with the First Nation for 16 years.
She said members approached her to run for the job because she has no vested interest in some internal conflicts that have divided the community.
Goertzen has no indigenous heritage but she said the Indian Act presents no barriers to her candidacy.
"Elders have assured me that an Indian Act system isn't an indigenous system," she said. "When we're talking about traditional law, customs, potlatch, clan houses, I would never get involved in that, but when it comes to running a band-based corporation, I know how to do that."
Also running for chief is former councillor Wesley Sam.
The successful candidate's term would only last eight months before general elections are held in October.
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Idle No More: In Photos
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A native dancer looks on during an 'Idle No More' gathering on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Monday, Jan. 28, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick (credit:CP)
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Native dancers rally during an 'Idle No More' gathering on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Monday, Jan. 28, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick (credit:CP)
Idle No More Mall Protest(03 of107)
LJ Henshell:
A First Nations Drummer plays during a protest at Intercity Shopping Center in Thunder Bay, Ontario
A First Nations Drummer plays during a protest at Intercity Shopping Center in Thunder Bay, Ontario
United we stand(05 of107)
Doug Cleverley:
At the #IdleNoMore rally in Owen Sound (Saugeen Ojibway Nation territory), during a spontaneous round dance at the main downtown intersection.
At the #IdleNoMore rally in Owen Sound (Saugeen Ojibway Nation territory), during a spontaneous round dance at the main downtown intersection.
Killer Whale Dance(06 of107)
Idle No More actions, Coast Salish Territories, Powell River, BC
Idle No More #J11(07 of107)
Coast Salish Territories, Powell River, BC
Idle No More #J11 March(08 of107)
Coast Salish Territories, Powell River, BC
C45 affects all Canadians! Join the fight.(09 of107)
Eleanor Kure:
At the Idle No More protest in Halifax Nova Scotia. with an eco-justice article in pocket, spreading the word that Bill C45 affects every Canadian, not only First Nations. Thank you FN, for beginning this movement.
At the Idle No More protest in Halifax Nova Scotia. with an eco-justice article in pocket, spreading the word that Bill C45 affects every Canadian, not only First Nations. Thank you FN, for beginning this movement.
Piyesiw Awasis(10 of107)
Thunderchild First Nation @ Lloydminster Flash Mob. January 16, 2013
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Idle No More supporters jump onto a truck as they are pushed by a driver trying to pass, as the protesters block Highway 2 as part of a planned national day of action, in Edmonton, Alberta on Wedneday January 16, 2013. (credit:THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson)
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Aboriginal protesters march down Huron Church Road towards the Ambassador bridge in Windsor Ontario, Wednesday, January 16, 2013. About 1000 demonstrators disrupted traffic to the country's busiest border crossing for several hours. (credit:THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Geoff Robins)
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Aboriginal protestors pray at the end of their blockade of a CN railroad track just west of Portage La Prairie, Man., on Wednesday, January 16, 2016. They ended their protest without incident. (credit:THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods)
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Aboriginal protesters demonstrate at the base of the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor Ontario, Wednesday, January 16, 2013. About 1000 demonstrators disrupted traffic to the country's busiest border crossing for several hours. (credit:THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Geoff Robins)
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Idle No More demonstrators block a CN east-west track just west of Portage La Prairie, Manitoba Wednesday, January 16, 2016. (credit:THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods)
Mississaugas of the New Credit support INM(16 of107)
Vicki King Jamieson:
New Credit Youth supporting INM
New Credit Youth supporting INM
Montreal Idle No More(17 of107)
Thousands of people, both Native and Canadian, show their support at an Idle No More protest in Montreal on January 11th, 2013.
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Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence, wearing a headdress, takes part in a drum ceremony before departing a Ottawa hotel to attend a ceremonial meeting at Rideau Hall with Gov. Gen. David Johnston in Ottawa, Friday January 11, 2013. (credit:THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Chartrand)
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Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence, centre, departs a Ottawa hotel to attend a ceremonial meeting at Rideau Hall with Gov. Gen. David Johnston in Ottawa, Friday January 11, 2013. (credit:THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Chartrand)
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Prime Minister Stephen Harper meets with First Nations leaders in Ottawa on January 11, 2013. (credit:PMO)
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Prime Minister Stephen Harper meets with First Nations leaders in Ottawa on January 11, 2013. (credit:PMO)
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Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence makes a brief statement on Victoria Island near Parliament Hill Friday January 11, 2013 in Ottawa. Spence is speaking out for the first time about how her reserve spends government money, saying most of what flows to her isolated James Bay reserve actually gets spent outside the community. (credit:THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld)
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Aboriginal Chiefs stand at the main gate to Parliament Hill during a protest Friday January 11, 2013 in Ottawa. (credit:THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld)
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Idle No More protesters listen to speakers during a rally on Parliament Hill Friday January 11, 2013 in Ottawa. (credit:THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld)
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Gordie Odjig of Wikwemikong stands at the west gate to the Langevin Block during the aboriginal meeting in Ottawa on Friday, January 11, 2013. (credit:THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrk)
Los Angeles Rally In Solidarity with First nations(28 of107)
HuffPost Blogger Melinda Gopher:
Brock Conway, Blackfeet activist, with Saulteaux Actor Adam Beach and companion. Photo: Morning Star Gopher
Brock Conway, Blackfeet activist, with Saulteaux Actor Adam Beach and companion. Photo: Morning Star Gopher
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Native protesters march up Wellington Street in Ottawa on Friday, January 11, 2013. (credit:THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick)
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Four-year-old Phoenix Sky Cottrelle,from Aamjiwnaang First Nation, holds a sign as aboriginal protestors gather on Victoria Island before they march to Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Friday, January 11, 2013. (credit:THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Patrick Doyle)
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Aboriginal protestors hold signs as they march from Victoria Island to Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Friday, January 11, 2013. (credit:THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Patrick Doyle)
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Gordie Odjig, an aboriginal protestor from Wikwemikong, shouts as he marches from Victoria Island to Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Friday, January 11, 2013. (credit:THE CANADIAN PRESS/Patrick Doyle)
Woman's Voices(33 of107)
Idle No More event Dec 30th,2012. Tla'Amin Nation Coast Salish Territories Powell River, British Columbia.
Idle No More Edmonton(34 of107)
Planned overnight and what a turn out!
Chicago Idle No More @ the Canadian Consulate(36 of107)
Jolene Aleck:
Chicago's Idle No More 1.5.2012 rally @ the Canadian Consulate
Chicago's Idle No More 1.5.2012 rally @ the Canadian Consulate
VancouverC Jan 2 2013(37 of107)
Idle No More at Waterfront Station, Vancouver, BC
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A man waves a flags as aboriginal protesters and supporters in the Idle No More movement block the Blue Water Bridge border crossing to the United States in Sarnia, Ont. on Saturday, January 5, 2013. (credit:THE CANADIAN PRESS/Dave Chidley)
VancouverA Jan 2 2013(39 of107)
Idle No More at Waterfront Station, Vancouver, BC
VancouverB Jan 2 2013(40 of107)
Idle No More at Waterfront Station, Vancouver, BC
VancouverD Jan 2 2013(41 of107)
Idle No More at Waterfront Station, Vancouver, BC
VancouverH Jan 2 2013(42 of107)
Idle No More at Waterfront Station, Vancouver, BC, January 2, 2013.
VancouverF Jan 2 2013(43 of107)
Idle No More at Waterfront Station, Vancouver, BC
VancouverE Jan 2 2013(44 of107)
Idle No More at Waterfront Station, Vancouver, BC
VancouverG Jan 2 2013(45 of107)
Idle No More at Waterfront Station, Vancouver, BC
Entering Cornwall via International Bridge(48 of107)
Akwesasne Idle No More at Cornwall, ON
Protest coming around traffic circle(49 of107)
Akwesasne Idle No More at Cornwall, ON
Two circles forming for round dance(51 of107)
Akwesasne Idle No More at Cornwall, ON
Red Deer Rally and March, December 19, 2012(52 of107)
Red Deer Rally and March December 19, 2012
March to Olympic Plaza, Calgary(53 of107)
Idle No More drummers accompany marchers in Calgary on Dec 10, 2012.
INM Dec 10 Olympic Plaza Calgary(54 of107)
Treaty 7 members and allies gather Dec 10 at Olympic Plaza in Calgary.
Idle No More Edmonton(56 of107)
December 30, 2012 Idle No More at Legislative Building, Edmonton, AB
Idle No More Edmonton(59 of107)
In support of Theresa Spence and Canada!
Alaska Supports Chief Spence(60 of107)
Amy Modig:
Angela Gonzales holds sign in support of Idle No More Rally at Anchorage, Alaska 12-29-12
Angela Gonzales holds sign in support of Idle No More Rally at Anchorage, Alaska 12-29-12
Idle no More Rally held on Dec.19.2012(61 of107)
Diane Michano-Richmond:
Rally held at Marathon Centre mall..
Rally held at Marathon Centre mall..
drummers and singer who participated(62 of107)
Diane Michano-Richmond:
Pic River First Nation & community of Marthon, On..
Pic River First Nation & community of Marthon, On..
Supporting Idle no More in Marathon, Ont..(63 of107)
Diane Michano-Richmond:
A small gathering at Marathon Center mall....
A small gathering at Marathon Center mall....
Highway banner at Britannia Beach Sea to Sky Highway 99(65 of107)
Erected December 22 in solidarity of Chief Theresa Spence's hunger strike. Video posted in The Pique, Whistler Newspaper
Grand Chief Phillip Stewart at #IdleNoMore at CBC Vancouver(75 of107)
“It is only out of arrogance that @PMHarper doesnt meet with #ChiefSpence…” - Grand Chief Phillip Stewart #idlenomore (at CBC Vancouver)
IDLE NO MORE - Kitigan Zibi(76 of107)
Kitigan Zibi (KZ)Anishnabeg showing their support for Chief Theresa Spence, on December 30, 2012
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Joe Clark and Chief Atleo visit Chief Spence. Credit: April Maloney, Twitter (credit:April Maloney, Twitter)
Red Lake Ontario: Idle No More(78 of107)
On Christmas Day at noon, a group gathered in downtown Red Lake to show their support for Chief Theresa Spence and Idle No More
Round Dance Angrignon Mall(79 of107)
Rusty Nolan:
My son is 2 and did the Round Dance for Theresa Spence. His Mohawk name in english means "ClearWater"
My son is 2 and did the Round Dance for Theresa Spence. His Mohawk name in english means "ClearWater"
Sto:lo Nation Idle No More Chilliwack Dec. 21, 2012(80 of107)
"Thank you for being part of this important movement. We're here in a peaceful way. We're here to bring awareness to the issues that have been clouded for too long. Our Children deserve the best future we can leave them, and that's all we're trying to do.Our ancestors are crying with us, they are praying with us, they are guiding us in our every step. We ask only for equality, we ask only for reciprocity, we ask only for respect. We are the first people of this land and we deserve a say in our future.Today is only the beginning - we can't give up. People - we have to carry on, we have to keep singing, we have to keep praying and if we have to keep marching - we will.We have to teach our children to follow us and if they have to fight the same fight we are fighting we have to teach them that it's worth it.I ask you to open your hearts and keep a prayerful mind. These are hard times. Put all your intentions and your thoughts into your songs and your words and walk in a confident way - do not lose hope." Margaret Commodore Dec. 21, 2012
Tsuu T'ina Nation, Alberta(81 of107)
Princess Tonya:
This billboard is situated on the Tsuu T'ina Nation in Alberta Canada in Treaty 7 Territory. #idlenomore
This billboard is situated on the Tsuu T'ina Nation in Alberta Canada in Treaty 7 Territory. #idlenomore
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Jamie Lea Green, a member of the Spirit of Kitlope dancers from the Haisla First Nation, takes part with her toy poodle "Baby" in a rally in support of the Idle No More movement, in Kitimat, B.C. on Sunday Dec 30, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Robin Rowland (credit:CP)
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First Nations members block traffic as they form a circle while protesting on the street outside Prime Minister Stephen Harper's official residence at 24 Sussex Drive in Ottawa on Saturday, December 22, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Chartrand (credit:CP)
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About 100 people march in a demonstration, lead by Dene National Chief Bill Erasmus, second left, during -29 C degree weather in downtown Yellowknife on Friday December 21, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Bill Braden (credit:CP)
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Aboriginal drummers play in an intersection in downtown London, Ont. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Dave Chidley (credit:CP)
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A group of hundreds of protesters walking and driving along eastbound 401 in London, Ont. on Wednesday, December 19, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Dave Chidley (credit:CP)
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Alex Rogers, wearing a Grass Dance head-dress, stands in front of protest signs while people from Aamjiwnaang First Nation and supporters gather for a meeting with officials as their blockade of the CN St. Clair spur line in Sarnia, Ont., Sunday, December 23, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Dave Chidley (credit:CP)
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Lot?t Honyust, from the Oneida Frist Nation, raises his fist during a protest in London, Ont. on Wednesday, December 19, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Dave Chidley (credit:CP)
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An Idle No More protest blocks the CN/CSX railway line in Sarnia, Ontario. The Canadian Press Images/Stephen C. Host (credit:CP)
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Justin Trudeau meets with Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence in her teepee in Ottawa. (credit:Justin Trudeau/Twitter)
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Idle No More protest blocking the CN/CSX railway line in Sarnia by local first nations. The Canadian Press Images/Stephen C. Host (credit:CP)
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Stephanie Evans protests alone as part of the "Idle No More" campaign outside an event where Prime Minister Stephen Harper was visiting the residents at Trinity Lodge senior's home in Calgary, Alta., Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh (credit:CP)
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NDP MP Charlie Angus offers Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence a blanket. (credit:Charlie Angus)
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More than 100 people gathered in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery on Dec. 21, 2012 as part of Idle No More protests across the country. (credit:Jesse Ferreras/HuffPost B.C.)
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More than 100 people gathered in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery on Dec. 21, 2012 as part of Idle No More protests across the country. (credit:Jesse Ferreras/HuffPost B.C.)
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More than 100 people gathered in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery on Dec. 21, 2012 as part of Idle No More protests across the country. (credit:Jesse Ferreras/HuffPost B.C.)
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More than 100 people gathered in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery on Dec. 21, 2012 as part of Idle No More protests across the country. (credit:Jesse Ferreras/HuffPost B.C.)
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More than 100 people gathered in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery on Dec. 21, 2012 as part of Idle No More protests across the country. (credit:Jesse Ferreras/HuffPost B.C.)
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More than 100 people gathered in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery on Dec. 21, 2012 as part of Idle No More protests across the country. (credit:Jesse Ferreras/HuffPost B.C.)
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More than 100 people gathered in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery on Dec. 21, 2012 as part of Idle No More protests across the country. (credit:Jesse Ferreras/HuffPost B.C.)
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More than 100 people gathered in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery on Dec. 21, 2012 as part of Idle No More protests across the country. (credit:Jesse Ferreras/HuffPost B.C.)
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More than 100 people gathered in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery on Dec. 21, 2012 as part of Idle No More protests across the country. (credit:Jesse Ferreras/HuffPost B.C.)
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More than 100 people gathered in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery on Dec. 21, 2012 as part of Idle No More protests across the country. (credit:Jesse Ferreras/HuffPost B.C.)
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More than 100 people gathered in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery on Dec. 21, 2012 as part of Idle No More protests across the country. (credit:Jesse Ferreras/HuffPost B.C.)
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More than 100 people gathered in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery on Dec. 21, 2012 as part of Idle No More protests across the country. (credit:Jesse Ferreras/HuffPost B.C.)
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More than 100 people gathered in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery on Dec. 21, 2012 as part of Idle No More protests across the country. (credit:Jesse Ferreras/HuffPost B.C.)