Darcy Dixon is the reigning Chief of Bearspaw on Stoney Nation.
Dixon was re-elected with 515 votes, beating out other candidates and former chiefs David Bearspaw Jr. and Johnny Ear, and first time candidate Georgina Rollins.
The last election was called in August 2013. This year, chief and council passed a resolution to return the Bearspaw election to Dec. 6, to align with the rest of the Stoney Nation elections.
This is the first time an election has been held for a three-year term. In 2011, then Bearspaw Chief David Bearspaw Jr., attempted a band council resolution to extend the term to four years, without a referendum.
In August 2011, a federal judge removed the Bearspaw chief and council and an election was held. Dixon was elected chief and two years later a referendum was called on the issue and a three-year term was enacted.
Four councillor positions were also filled.
The Morley representatives are Lenny Wesley with 225 votes and Anthony Bearspaw with 215 votes.
The Eden Valley representatives are returning councillor Rex Daniels with 299 votes and Gordon Wildman with 269 votes.
The election was held on Tuesday and, according to the chief electoral officer, there was a “high voter turnout.”
The appeal deadline is Jan. 5, 2017.
