Familiar face returns as Westbank chief

Robert Louie is back as the chief of the Westbank First Nation.

Louie won a three-year term on Thursday after defeating Roxanne Lindley by 131 votes.

Louie, who previously held the office of chief for 24 years, is the owner of Indigenous World Winery and Distillery, Kelowna West Manufacturing Home Park and other business ventures.

Former chief Christopher Derickson resigned in June over disagreements with the band’s council over a land sale.

The four councillors serving alongside Louie include incumbents Andrea Alexander and Jordan Coble, and newly elected councillors Angie Derrickson and Sara Tronson.

The 2022 election saw 391 votes cast with five ballots being rejected, out of 701 eligible voters.

Council will be sworn in to their three-year terms on Sept. 20.

Meantime, the Union of BC Indian Chiefs says Grand Chief Stewart Phillip has been re-elected as its president for his ninth consecutive three-year term.

The union says Stewart, a resident of the Penticton area who’s held the position for 24 years, was re-elected by acclamation.

Stewart says he’ll continue to advocate for equity, address the climate emergency, and identify ways to implement the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People.

Stewart, who served for 24 years on the Penticton Indian Band Council including 16 years as chief, has also been a prominent voice raising alarm about the toxic drug supply and overdose crisis in B.C.

(With files from The Canadian Press)