About 60 people gathered at Prince Charles Theatre on Friday evening to witness the installation of two Lower Kootenay Band councillors who were elected in November.
Incumbent Mary Basil was re-elected and Robin Louie will serve his first term after returning to Lower Kootenay last year.
“I would like to say that it is a great honour to be asked to MC this event,” Creston Mayor Ron Toyota said. “Chief Jason Louie and his council have worked very hard to promote strong working relationships with the Town of Creston and Regional District of Central Kootenay.”
Creston RCMP Staff Sgt. Bob Gollan, who is Métis, conducted the swearing-in ceremony after the new councillors were led into the theatre to the sounds of a cadet bagpiper.
Basil, a band elder, has spent most of her life in Lower Kootenay and has been a foster parent for more than 30 years. She has been a drug and alcohol councilor and first served on band council in 1966.
“I’m very proud that we have had a drug- and alcohol-free council for the last two years and I want to work to keep it that way,” she said.
Basil’s council portfolio is the social sector (housing and health) and she represents LKB at meetings with the Ktunaxa Nation council, Ktunaxa Kinbasket Child and Family Services and the RDCK.
Robin Louie, a Prince Charles Secondary School grad, served for 12 years in the United States Marine Corps as an infantry unit leader, travelling to 74 countries during his term of service. He has completed two masters degree programs in business administration and international business.
While in the Marines, Louie worked with American and foreign dignitaries, including two U.S. presidents, ambassadors, governors, mayors and local chiefs in countries around the world. He is a father of three.
“Being a good band councillor means being a good listener,” Louie said. “My job is to listen to what Lower Kootenay people have to say, and to learn from them.”
Welcomes and small gifts of congratulations were delivered by Toyota, Gollan, RDCK directors Garry Jackman (Area A) and Larry Binks (Area C), Area B alternate Penny A.P. Anderson, and representatives from Fortis BC and the College of the Rockies.