Sherri-lyn Hill is the third woman in Six Nations’ history to take the title of elected chief after beating out her competitor, Steve Williams, by almost 200 votes.
Sherri-Lyn Hill walked away from Saturday’s general election as the victor, with 606 votes compared to Steve Williams’s 444 votes.
They were the only two contenders for the chief’s title.
Williams was elected chief for one term in the late 1990s and is also the president of multi-million dollar tobacco manufacturing firm Grand River Enterprises.
Previous Chief Mark Hill declined to run again citing a desire to pursue other opportunities in his career path.
This council is larger than the last, with 12 people elected to the table, after election code changes this year saw the number of seats grow from nine to 12 people.
The new election code also limits councillors to two terms.
Cynthia Jamieson, the former executive director at the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, garnered the most votes for the position of councillor, with 576 people voting her in. She ran for the role of elected chief unsuccessfully, twice.
The following councillors were also elected after polls closed at 6 p.m. on Saturday:
-Greg Frazer 550
-Melba Thomas 511
-Hazel Johnson 494
-Helen Miller 479
-Audrey Powless-Bomberry 470
-Kerry Bomberry 459
-Alaina VanEvery 451
-Dayle Bomberry 444
-Amos Keye 414
-Dean Hill 369
-Carole Greene 311
Jennifer Murdock, with 308 votes, was the sole contender for councillor who did not get elected.
Chief Hill was sworn in last night at the council chambers on Chiefswood Road.
“Congratulations to the new elected councillors and a heartfelt appreciation to all of you who supported me,” she wrote on her Facebook page. “Together, we will embark on this journey! Together, let’s build further success. Together, we shall indeed build a brighter future for Six Nations!”
She also thanked those who did not vote for her.
“I want to extend my hand in friendship and cooperation to those who may not have cast their votes in my favor. I ask you to keep an open mind over this term, for I am committed to being a leader for all.”
She said she will work closely with outgoing Chief Mark Hill to make a smooth transition to her new role.
“I believe that the people of Six Nations have the right to a leader who embodies integrity, honesty, transparency, and accountability with action,” she said. “I will work diligently for further success in our community. I pledge to be that leader, dedicated to serving our community with the utmost honour and responsibility.”
