Greer wins by narrow margin, returns as Piikani chief

Chief Stanley Greer has won re-election to lead the Piikani Nation.

He polled 273 votes in Jan. 7’s band council election, closely followed by Lowa Beebe with 255 votes.

Outgoing councillor Fabian North Peigan, the only member of the 2015-18 council to challenge for the chief’s role, placed fourth with 123 votes.

Two incumbent councillors were also returned by Piikani members, who cast advance ballots in Lethbridge and Calgary before polls opened Monday at Brocket.

Troy “Boss Man” Knowlton topped the polls with 454 votes, while Doane Crow Shoe was fifth with 237.

But outgoing councillor Bryan Jackson received 199 votes, placing him eighth in the race for one of seven council positions. And incumbent Ferlin Crow Shoe slipped to 15th place in a contest that attracted 54 candidates.

New members of council will be Wesley Crow Shoe with 324 votes, Che Little Chief (275), Riel ProvostHoule (257), Theodore Provost (232) and Erwin Bastien (204).

All numbers will remain “unofficial” until confirmed by the Piikani electoral officer.