The upcoming Six Nations General Election for the 59th Elected Band Council will take place on Nov. 4. The community will decide between two candidates running for the head of council: Sheri-Lyn Hill, a councilor on the current Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) and Steve Williams, a former Six Nations Elected Chief.
Sherri-Lyn Hill currently sits on the 58th SNEC as a councilor and has been in that position since 2013. She says with her background sitting on SNEC she's been able to gain experience that she feels can help the Six Nations community.
"A decade ago, I decided to enter the realm of politics because I believe I could make a difference," she said.
"Over these years, I've learned more about the community and developed a knack for listening to and supporting community members in any way I can."
She says if elected she aims to help the community address its addiction and mental health crisis, improve housing opportunities and emergency housing and palliative care, and also committing to preserving the culture of Six Nations. She said that community engagement will be at the forefront of her campaign to ensure she's addressing what the community wants.
"I firmly believe that it's time for the Six Nations people to have a voice," she said.
"I believe that the people of Six Nations have the right to be well informed about political matters and to be actively involved in the decision making process."
Hill spotlighted the lack of supports on Six Nations to help those struggling with addictions and mental health and the importance of the community having supports in place for those struggling.
"Hopefully, I can work on how Six Nations gets a detox center, how we get a treatment center so it's that continuum of care that you go into a detox center to a treatment center then you can go right into a residential center where people can stay for two years right in the community."
She says that she's hoping to promote unity within SNEC if elected, adding that the best interest of the community is what council needs to be working towards.
"It takes myself, the councilors, the staff, we need to work together to have the same vision. We're all here for the community and it's best interest."
She says she committed to taking on this role to better serve the community.
"I believe that the people of Six Nations have the right to a leader who embodies integrity, and I'm dedicated to honesty, transparency, accountability and action."
The next advanced polling date is this weekend Oct. 28 at the Six Nations Community Hall and election day taking place on Nov 4.
To listen to the CJKS spotlight with chief candidate Steve Williams, click here.
For the full CJKS story listen below: