Andy Rickard elected chief during Garden River First Nation elections

There’s a change of command at Garden River First Nation following elections for chief and council Thursday.

Andy Rickard was elected to his first term chief with a total of 314 votes, defeating candidates Chester Langille (275 votes), Susan Anne Chiblow (124 votes) and Craig Sayers (93 votes). 

A total of 806 valid ballots were cast for chief.

Rickard was first elected to Garden River First Nation council in 1997, and has served six terms in that role. 

11 ballots were rejected.

A total of 12 candidates were elected for council:

• Karen Bell 

• Caroline Barry

• Cindy Belleau-Jones 

• Chester Langille

• Brandi Nolan 

• Andy Rickard

• Morley Pine

• Craig Sayers

• Richard A. Pine

• Leslie Zack-Caraballo

• Janine Zack

• Christopher Pine Sr. 

A total of 809 valid ballots were cast for council, in addition to nine rejected ballots.