In a resounding landslide win, members of the Métis Nation of Alberta have re-elected Audrey Poitras as President for her fourth consecutive term in office. The province-wide ballot box election was held on September 6, 2005.

2210 Métis voted for incumbent President, Audrey Poitras. Métis candidates, Don Langford from Edmonton, and Alyse McLeod from Okotoks, received 707 votes and 294 votes, respectively.

President-elect Poitras says, “I am honoured to continue leading our Métis people in Alberta. And with their very strong mandated, along with our Provincial Council, I will continue to listen and respond to the needs of our Métis people and continue working towards our goal of improving the socio-economic standards for our people. Among them is ensuring our people have access to the same rights as Inuit and First Nations.”

This is the fourth term for Audrey Poitras, a Métis businesswoman with a solid background in financial administration. When she was first elected in 1996, Poitras eliminated the debt, balanced all the budgets, and began raising the profile of the Métis Nation of Alberta. With this election win, Poitras becomes the first Métis woman in the history of Canada to serve four consecutive terms. She also holds the honour of being the only female president of a provincial Métis organization.

Members of the Métis Nation of Alberta re-elected Vice President Trevor Gladue and cast ballots for 6 regional Presidents and 6 regional Vice Presidents who, along with the provincial representatives, will comprise the Provincial Council.

Unofficial election results indicate three new members of the Provincial Council: Ken Bourque, Region 1 President; Joe Chodzicki, Region 3 Vice President, and Tim Collins, Region 4 Vice President. Returning elected members include: Rick Boucher, Region 1 Vice President; Karen (KC) Collins, Region 2 President; Marlene Lanz, Region 3 President (formerly the Vice President); Cecil Bellrose, Region 4 President (formerly the Vice President); Bev New, Region 5 President; Peter Campion, Region 5 Vice President; Sylvia Johnson, Region 6 President; and Louis Bellrose, Region 6 Vice President. Homer Poitras, Region 2 Vice President is returning by acclamation.