As Chief Dale Hance of Tl’etinqox (Anaham) prepares for his first meeting with council, he is considering how restructuring departments can strengthen outcomes in education, housing and economic development.
“There’s a lot of work to be done (but) outgoing Chief Joe created a great foundation for us to build upon,” Chief Hance said.
The Tsilhqot'in Nation’s largest community, Tl’etinqox was under Joe Alphonse’s leadership for 16 years before he announced his resignation in January. Hance is stepping into the role as chief following the March 8 election, which he won with 97 votes.
“It’s such an honour to be chosen to represent the people of Tl’etinqox,” said the new chief.
There were a total of 11 names put forward for chief; trailing behind Hance were Blaine Grinder with 62 votes, Leslie Stump with 56 votes and Grant Alphonse with 51.
In an interview with ronaldomanosa, Chief Hance outlined his priorities for the community.
Beginning with education, he said most of the community’s youth are graduating now, but he wants to see a greater emphasis on post-secondary education.
“We don’t have enough trades people coming back into the community,” he said.
As for housing, Hance said it’s been a long time since the community has had new housing, though nine new houses will soon become homes for Tl’etinqox families.
“The housing department is really behind because we don’t have the right people in place,” Hance said, explaining why he’s looking at restructuring the housing department.
The nine new houses are a good start, he added, but there remains a long list of people looking for homes.
Finally, Hance said he’s excited to generate economic development in the community, which is currently building a new mechanics shop which would also have a pressure washer.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do,” Hance said as he discussed the opportunity of starting up more businesses in the community.
“It’s going to be a challenge to get it all in place, but I see we’re going to be moving in the right direction.”
Hance also said he wants to prioritize honesty and transparency, and wants to make sure community members, including those living off-reserve, are kept in the loop.
The first step, Hance said, is to have his first meeting with council on Monday, March 17.
Tl’etinqox’s new council is made up of eight returning councillors and four new ones. Leslie Stump, who also ran for chief, received 119 votes to return as councillor along with Melanie (Johnny) Frank with 130 votes, Randy Billyboy with 121 votes, Brendon Harry with 103 votes, Alana Bobby with 94 votes, Harvey Dick with 92 votes, Cecil Grinder with 114 votes and Paul Grinder with 119 votes.
The new councillors are Dustin Hance with 119 votes, Jeremiah Jimmy Harry Jr. with 117 votes, Trevor Mack with 102 votes and Gary Stump with 95 votes.
“It’s a strong council,” said Hance who has worked with many of the councillors in the past and looks forward to continuing the collaboration. Indeed, Hance is not new to politics, having served on the Tl’etinqox council for three consecutive terms.
Being chief, however, is a whole new job.
“I’m feeling excited, overwhelmed...it’s definitely not boring,” Hance said of his first few days as chief which he described as hectic.
“(I’m) excited to get everything up and running here,” he said. Hance is also looking forward to working with the chiefs of the five other Tŝilhqot’in communities whom he’s already had an introduction with.
With over 1,000 members, Tl'etinqox is the largest community of the Tŝilhqot’in Nation which consists of six communities between the Fraser River and the Coast Mountains in west-central British Columbia.
