Phone, internet problems affect Cree vote for Grand Chief

Voters are still waiting for results in the Cree Grand Council elections.

This is due to a telecommunications outage.

Yesterday a fibre optic cable cut off phone and internet service to several Cree communities.

This caused difficulties in the tabulation of the votes. Chief Electoral Officer Lawrence Jimiken has said that results will be made public later today.

Telebec has confirmed that a fibre optic cable was broken yesterday between Matagami and km 72 of the James Bay Highway.

Telebec spokesperson, Doris Blackburn, says a construction crew probably damaged the fibre optic linewithout realizing it.

That means no cell phone coverage or internet for clients of Telebec and Telus.

More than 12,000 peoplewereeligible to cast a ballot in nine Cree communities as well as centres outside Eeyou Istchee such as Montreal, Ottawa and Val d'Or.

This year's election was set to featurevoting by telephone in addition to paper ballots. The outagestill raises the question of what will happen to those who planned to dial in their vote.

Grand Chief has served 18 years

There are three candidates running for Grand Chief: Incumbent Grand Chief Matthew Coon Come, the president of the Cree Mineral Exploration Board, businessman Jack Blacksmith, and the current Deputy Grand Chief Ashley Iserhoff.

Coon Come has been Grand Chief for a total of 18 years and recently negotiated a governance agreement that gives the Cree more power over Category 2 and 3 lands in the James Bay region. Bill 42 also creates the regional government of Cree and non-native called the Eeyou-Istchee James Bay government that will take effect on January 1st, 2014.

Ashley Iserhoff, the current deputy grand chief, is stressing the need for a new, more youthful voice to take over the running of the Cree Nation. At 38, he is promising to help make sure young people benefit from development happening in territory.

Jack Blacksmith says he is hoping his experience in business and many years as head of CREECo, the economic development arm of the Cree Regional Authority, will connect with voters.

Eightpeople are running for Deputy Grand Chief: Robert Kitchen, Kenny Loon, Rodney Mark, Christopher Napash, Roger Sandy, Linda Shecapio, Emma Virginia Wabano and Bertie Wapachee

Youth vote important, as Cree youthgain in numbers

During the2009 Grand Council elections, the participation rate was 52.9 per cent. This wasan increase from theprevious election but a total that many Cree said was too low.

With 70 per cent of Crees under the age of 34, the youth vote could be very important in this election. Traditionally, youth have had a very poor turnout in Grand Council elections.

Stacey Bear,former Youth Grand Chief, thinks it will be different this time around thanks in part toFacebook and other social media.

"What we will decide today is very important for the people in the future, such as our children. Even if I don't want to vote, I still have to for my child. I have to make to decision on "who will think of my child," she said.

A candidate needs to 50 per cent plus 1 to win the election. If no candidate wins that percentage in the first vote, a run-off election will be held.