An election appeal board for the White River First Nation has ruled an election held last fall violated the Nation’s election code – and ordered the results be set aside. 

The board identified a number of irregularities, many of them stemming from the unexpected death of one of the candidates for chief. The board said it found no evidence of dishonesty or improper motives. 

The election was the first to be held using the First Nation’s new election code, which was adopted in July. 

Candidate nominations closed on Sept. 12, 2025.

According to the board’s decision document, electoral officer Tanya Silverfox allowed candidates an extension to submit criminal record checks by Sept. 29 – but advance polls opened on schedule on Sept. 20. That created a situation where members began sending in postal and electronic votes before a list of candidates was finalized. 

Then on Sept. 28, Ricky John, one of the candidates for chief, died suddenly in a motor vehicle accident. 

Ten White River First Nation members submitted written recommendations that nominations be reopened. 

Silverfox told board members the election code did not include any provisions addressing the death of a candidate after nominations have closed. 

When she sought legal guidance from Woodward & Company LLP, she said she was advised the code did not authorize cancelling the election or reopening nominations.

“The board accepts that the electoral officer faced unprecedented and difficult circumstances,” the decision stated. 

Elders told the board that according to social protocols for the White River First Nation, the passing of a community member carries significant spiritual and relational obligations, and the band office typically closes in the wake of a death in the community. 

Silverfox told the board she cancelled an all candidates forum and delayed forming an Elders caucus – a group mandated by election code to provide oversight over the electoral process from 30 days before the election – because the community was grieving. 

But Silverfox also chose not to extend the Sept. 29 deadline for Gordon John – Ricky’s brother, who was also running for chief – to submit a criminal record check. 

The board found this to be an “inconsistent” exercise of discretion over timelines from Silverfox, and lacked fairness. 

John told the board he was emotionally distraught and believed along with many community members that the election was “on hold.” 

The board found there was insufficient communication to candidates and electors in the wake of John’s death about how it would affect the election. 

The remaining candidate for chief, Bessie Ann Chasse, was acclaimed in October along with several councillors. Several candidates refused to participate in an oath of office, citing procedural concerns with the election. An oath of office ceremony was never held. 

Five members filed appeals with the Elders caucus seeking to have the election results set aside. 

On Feb. 27, the board ordered the First Nation to do just that, and to hold a new election as soon as possible. The document stated its decision “does not rest on any single irregularity” but rather the “cumulative effect of multiple deficiencies in the administration of the election.” 

In an email, White River executive director Sid VanderMeer said chief and council will meet Friday to officially call a new election.

CBC also requested comment from Bessie Ann Chasse, Tanya Silverfox, several candidates and several members who filed an appeal, but did not receive a response.