Hello Kitsumkalum Members,
Please take a look at those running for the office of Chief.
We ask that you please keep personal discussions off the official Kitsumkalum Facebook Pages.
Best wishes to all candidates. We look forward to the community’s continued support before and after election.
Running for Chief
Richard David Inkster
My name is Richard Inkster, and I also wear the hereditary title Sm’ooyget Niskiimas, Waaps Niskiimas, Ganhada Giluts’aaw.
I have been a Kitsumkalum Band member since 1988. I have worked for Kitsumkalum since 1984 (Kitsumkalum Fisheries Program), and in the role of Public Works Operations and Maintenance Manager since 2001. I was put in charge of the Kitsumkalum Quarry Operation in 2001 and helped develop an operational and environmental plan to get an operational permit from Indian Affairs Canada.
In 2010 I graduated with a diploma from Thompson Rivers University with a Diploma in Water Treatment Technology. I believe strongly that as a community, we need to continue to uphold, practice and preserve our cultural ways as Tsimshian as well as build and promote the social and economic well-being of our members. I support working towards unity among our Tsimshian tribes and communities and to support our Indigenous neighbours in good relations.
I am an advocate for clean and safe drinking water in First Nations communities in BC and Yukon and I am currently a committee member on First Nations Advisory Committee on Safe Drinking Water. Our community history from our recent past has shaped our present and we need to acknowledge who we are and where we are going, to give our future generations a wealthy life. We, the Kitsumkalum Band come from hard working people, and they liked making their own way in life. Take care.
Alishia Benson-McCarthy
I joined this community through marriage and maintained strong ties to the Tsimshian Nation, particularly through my father’s lineage. My late grandmother, Fredila Bolton, was born in Kitselas, and I identify as Gitxsan, raised in Gitwangak. Since 2011, Kitsumkalum has been my home.
I bring significant governance experience from my time as a former band councilor for Gitwangak, as well as my roles as an Executive Vice President and Treasurer. I currently serve on the Board of Governors for Coast Mountain College (CMTN), where I have gained valuable insights into effective leadership and decision-making.
With over 15 years of experience in various administrative roles, I have developed a strong skill set as a Program Officer, Job Coach Advisor, and Employment Counsellor for First Nations non-profits in the Northwest. This diverse background has equipped me with the tools necessary to understand and address the needs of our community.
As I prepare to graduate this Spring with a Diploma in Business Administration with a focus on Human Resources from CMTN, I am also excited to start my online Bachelor of Commerce in Entrepreneurial Management this Fall. I aim to complete it by March 2028.
If elected, I will lead with fairness and integrity, always prioritizing the best interests of our community and fostering collaboration within the Council. I am dedicated to utilizing my experience and education to benefit Kitsumkalum.
Wil ap’ nit dim gan wilt (So it shall be).
I wish you all the best.
Troy Sam
To the Honourable Members of Kitsumkalum,
I am Troy Sam, Sim oi Ghet Ha’uts of Waap Lagaax of Kitsumkalum. I served as an elected Band Councillor for Kitsumkalum for the past 18 years and an active member of the community for 33 years, engaging with the Fire Department, Emergency Services, Economic Development, Forestry, Salmon Barbecue, Kitsumkalum Float, Elders, and Youth Programs.
In the last 18 years, numerous developments have occurred. Thanks to Chief Don Roberts and prior councils, our community expanded from 80 to 125 homes, introduced a new health centre and school, paved roads, and received recognition from governments regarding our historical presence on the Coast.
Kitsumkalum flows through my veins. I take pride in witnessing our community spirit during events like the Salmon Barbecue. I admire the care and concern everyone shows for one another. When someone is struggling, there is always support available to help. I also enjoy seeing the community come together to decorate the parade float and lend a hand when disaster strikes.
The Spirit of Kitsumkalum lives in the heart of the community; it has come with us from Spokeshute.
It is essential for me to ensure that succession planning and nurturing our youth prepare them to step into our roles seamlessly.
Cultural preservation and safeguarding our elders’ knowledge have always been priorities for me. I also value visiting and nurturing connections to maintain open dialogue.
Any further questions don’t hesitate to ask.
Toyaxsut Nuun.