Local Chief is making a run for highest political seat in B.C. First Nations politics

July 30 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Local Chief is making a run for highest political seat in B.C. First Nations

Secwepemc territory Kamloops,B.C., Chief Shane Gottfriedson, current chief of the Tk’emlups
Indian Band, officially announced his candidacy for the B.C. Regional Chief on July 23 by
resigning from his director’s post on the B.C. Assembly of First Nations (BC AFN) board.

The position became available after the past B.C. Regional Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo
successfully won the bid for national chief last week. The bi-election has been called for
October 1 when the chiefs of British Columbia will select their new leader.

“I was asked to consider running by some chiefs of which I have a lot of respect for, so I talked it
over with my family and decided to throw my hat in the ring,” says Chief Shane Gottfriedson.
The B.C. AFN is a political territorial organization (PTO) that represents all 203 B.C. First
Nations essentially bringing together associates of the First Nations Summit and the Union of BC
Indian Chiefs.

Shane is the 12th elected chief of the Tk’emlupsIndian Band situated adjacent to the City of
Kamloops in the heart of the interior. When he took office in December of 2003, him and his
council set forth an aggressive financial plan aimed at eliminating the band’s debt, building
business relationships and creating jobs. With the help of a dedicated council and staff members,
they attained their financial goal in Shane’s first term. Shane has a firm belief in selfsustainability
and argues that it is the only means by which First Nations people can fully assert
their title and rights in a modern economy and provide for their people in a meaningful way on a
path to end First Nations poverty, increase education levels and to more fully participate in
business ventures.

“I think we owe past National Chief Phil Fontaine and current National Chief Shawn A-in-Chut
Atleo a big thank you for opening doors,” comments Chief Shane Gottfriedson, “it’s now our
time and our job to continue moving forward and preparing for the challenges of the future.”
As part of his campaign, Shane will attempt to visit all 203 chiefs in their traditional territory.
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For more information call Chrystie Stewart at 778.220.5046 or visit www.bcregionalchief.com