October 2023
2023 ELECTION | Unofficial list of candidates
Here is the unofficial list of candidates for the upcoming elections. The official list will be published on Thursday, October 12.
AVAILABILITY OF THE PRESIDENT OF ELECTION :
(For ½ day, on site, at the administrative office of the Conseil des Abénakis d’Odanak, located at 104 rue Sibosis in Odanak and by telephone, during these ½ days, at 450 568-2810)
- Monday, October 16, 2023: 9 am to 11:30 am
- Monday, October 30, 2023: 1:30 pm to 4 pm
- Monday, November 6, 2023 : 1:30 pm to 4 pm
- Monday, November 13, 2023 : 1:30 pm to 4 pm
National Day of Truth and Reconciliation 2023
Our teams donned their orange shirts on National Day of Truth and Reconciliation to pay tribute to the survivors and victims of residential schools. The past few days have also been significant for the history of our people and our Nation, with the National Day for Awareness of Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, and the Major Rogers Massacre. These events remind us of the importance of preserving our culture and traditions, despite the challenges we have faced. Together, we can achieve great things. Together, we can honor the memory of our missing, commemorate our history, and work toward a future where truth and reconciliation prevail.
September 2023
ELECTION 2023 | MAJOR CHANGES IN THE ELECTORAL PROCESS
- Application of the First Nations Elections Act and the First Nations Elections Regulations.
- The term of elected officials is 4 years.
- The election period is 65 days.
- Candidates must accept their nomination in writing (it is no longer automatic following the acceptance of the proposal and the support of their candidacy), and they must provide a $250 deposit (by certified check, money order, bank draft, or cash) to the election chairperson no later than October 11, 2023, at 6:00 PM. The $250.00 deposit will be refunded if the candidate obtains more than 5% of the total votes cast (votes cast, accepted and valid).
- Postal ballots will be sent by mail only if the voter requests it in writing using the prescribed form and accompanied by a copy of identification (such as an Indian status card, driver’s license, health insurance card).
- There will be an advance poll on Saturday, November 18, 2023, from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, at the community hall located at 58 Waban-Aki Street, Odanak.
- Possibility of an automatic recount on November 28, 2023, following the conclusion of the vote count, which will be triggered when the difference between a winning candidate and the candidate in second place is equal to or less than 5 votes.
- An elector can challenge the election by filing an application either with the Federal Court or the Superior Court on the grounds that there has been a violation of the Act or Regulation that may have influenced the outcome. This application must be filed within 30 days following the election.
August 2023
July 2023
Odanak celebrates its culture by revitalizing the community’s street names
The Abenaki Council of Odanak is delighted to announce a significant cultural initiative to revitalize the community’s street names. This initiative aims to highlight the Abenaki language and reflect its importance. The new street name signs, featuring the names in three languages – Abenaki, French and English – as well as pictograms symbolizing their meaning, are being unveiled this week at the Odanak Pow Wow taking place this weekend.
Since immemorial times, Odanak has been the guardian of a rich history and deep-rooted culture. As part of this initiative, the Abenaki Council of Odanak re-evaluated existing street names to better reflect the evolution of the Abenaki language and its importance in expressing the community’s cultural identity. Some street names have been corrected to align with current linguistic knowledge, helping to preserve and promote the Abenaki language for future generations.
The pictograms accompanying each street name add a captivating visual dimension to this initiative. They tell stories, convey meaning and invite passers-by to immerse themselves in the very essence of Abenaki culture.
The Chief of the Abenaki Council of Odanak, Rick O’Bomsawin, spoke of the importance of this street name revitalization: “This initiative is an essential step in our quest to preserve our language and culture. By revitalizing street names in an relevant and meaningful way, we are reaffirming our attachment to our roots and our desire to share them with the world around us.”
The Odanak Pow wow festivities represent an ideal opportunity to present these new street name signs to the community and its guests. The Pow wow is an emblematic event that celebrates Abenaki culture and brings together participants from diverse backgrounds. The Abenaki Council of Odanak warmly invites all Pow wow visitors to take the time to discover these revitalized signs and immerse themselves in the history and cultural significance they carry.
This revitalization of Odanak street names reflects the Abenaki Council of Odanak’s ongoing commitment to the preservation of Abenaki culture and language. It also testifies to the community’s determination to embrace a vision for the future that honours and respects its ancestral traditions.
