Standing Buffalo Dakota Nation, located 65 kilometers east of Regina, is anticipating a band election later this summer where a new Chief and Council will be elected. 

First Nation band elections consist of a democracy voting for a new Chief and Council members who will be responsible for managing the reserve and its decisions.

First Nation elections, which must occur every two years according to the Indian Act, are facing uncertainty as band elections come up. Approximately 200 First Nations communities in Canada hold elections under the Indian Act and the Indian Band Election Regulations.

Some reserves follow the legislation and Acts under the Indian Act and the Indian Band Election Regulations, while other nations are sovereign and develop their own Election Act and obtain funding from Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada to run the election. Sovereign bands need to report to Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada regarding electoral funding.

Standing Buffalo has developed their own Election Act. Band members voted to evoke change regarding the term, changing elections from occurring every two years to three years. Standing Buffalo band elections have been occurring every 3 years for almost two decades.

“I wanna know how people in isolation and unvaccinated band members will be able to vote,” said band member Elijah Redman.

Other reserves in Saskatchewan have introduced the option for mail-in ballots due to the risk of health and safety from COVID-19.

Standing Buffalo Chief and Council have not yet begun planning how this year’s election will run, or if mail-in ballots will be inaugurated. 

Standing Buffalo Chief and Council and the band office were unavailable for comment regarding COVID-19 and this year’s election.

“I hope there is a plan that works for anyone in any situation to be able to vote on reserve or off reserve,” said Redman.