By Paul Morden for the Sarnia Observer
(2016) Voters at Aamjiwnaang First Nation made history Friday by electing their first female chief.
Joanne Rogers was elected to a two-year term, with 431 of the 593 votes cast for chief of the band council for the First Nation neighbouring Sarnia.
“I’m excited,” she said.
“It’s a new journey for me.”
Rogers, who is a life-long resident of Aamjiwnaang, retired in 2014 after serving 21 years as a Justice of the Peace.
Prior to that, the SCITS graduate had served on council and also held positions with the band, including clerk, stenographer and receptionist.
Over the years, Rogers has attended courses at Lambton College and Queen’s University.
“I’ve always been involved in the community, and sat on numerous committees,” she said.
“I’ve always, always cared about my community.”
After retiring, Rogers was involved in starting up a Cub Scouts group at the community centre, that involves 16 children and five leaders.
“I think we’re going to have Beavers this year,” she added.
Rogers said working as a team with the community and council, and keeping the community informed, are among her priorities.
Rogers said a desire for more communication was something she heard about from community members who asked her to consider running for chief.
“They want to be more aware of what’s going on, more involved,” she said.
“It will a team effort, on my behalf,” Rogers said.
“I will be working with everybody, and trying to include everybody in the decisions that are made.”
Rogers said she also wants to support band staff.
“They need to have a happy working environment, and when you have that,” it means “a lot better services to our community,” she said.
“Our services are good, but we can make them even better.”
Establishing a long-term care facility at Aamjiwnaang for its seniors is another goal, Rogers said.
“A lot of them have to go away from their community if they need that service, that help,” she said.
Rogers was also elected Friday to one of the nine councillors positions and said she understands she has the option of serving in both, or resigning from the councillor position.
“That’s a decision council, and myself, will have to make,” she said.
“Before any decisions are made, we’ll probably look to the community and see what they think.”
Rogers said Sunday a date for the new chief and council to take office hadn’t been set.
Rogers and her husband have two children, and six grandchildren.
Outgoing chief Chris Plain, first elected to the post in 2005, decided not to run again for chief but did run successfully for a spot on council.
Also elected to council are Sherri Crowley, Errnol Gray, Shawn Plain, John Adams, Phil Maness, Darren L. Henry, and Dallas Sinopole.
It was a four-person race for chief. The other candidates were Lareina Rising, Wilson Plain Sr., and Danalynn Williams.