Taynar Simpson will be the next chief of Alderville First Nation, north of Cobourg. Inauguration day is set for July 20.

He won Friday’s election by just three votes—198 to 195—over Chief Dave Mowat, while David J.S. Baker received 38 votes. There were also four rejected ballots cast. Despite the narrow result, no recount is anticipated.

Chief Elect Simpson said the votes were tallied in front of selected scrutineers from each candidate and the final results were agreed by all in attendance.

Simpson also ran for a councillor position and topped the polls tied with Dawn Marie Kelly at 265. And elected as councillors were Lisa McDonald with 211 votes, Nora Sawyer with 208 and Jason Marsden with 198. 

Simpson is currently traveling on a pre-planned vacation, but provided a stated to Northumberland 89.7 on his win.

“I would like to thank members of Alderville for putting their trust in and faith into my vision for Alderville. It is a great honour to have been chosen to lead our First Nation at this critical point in our history," the statement reads. "I have dedicated my life and career to advancing the cause of Indigenous people across Canada, but this will be my most difficult and rewarding position yet.”

A councillor from 2019 to 2021, Simpson’s vision for Alderville is to be an open and transparent community where all members, on and off reserve, are fully engaged in governance and that special care and services should be provided to the Elders as they are the heart and soul of the community.

Simpson’s background includes founding Wampum Records, an Indigenous research company specializing in legal, policy, archival and historical research and analysis. 

RESULTS

Election of Chief 

Taynar Simpson: 198

Dave Mowat: 195

David J.S. Baker: 38

Election of Councillors

Dawn Marie Kelly: 265

Taynar Simpson: 265

Lisa McDonald: 211

Nora Sawyer: 208

Jason Marsden: 198

Sean Crowe: 180

Kassie McKeown: 164

Jason Bennett: 136

Clinton Crowe: 118

Listen here to the story: