Chief & Council
Discover Strong, Visionary Leadership at Seabird Island
For over 140 years, Seabird Island has flourished under the guidance of dedicated, community-focused leaders. Our elected Chief and eight-person Council represent our voice locally, provincially, nationally, and within respected First Nations organizations. Their governance upholds our sovereignty while creating new opportunities.
Through strategic initiatives, our Directors and Chiefs have driven incredible growth – evolving our small Band into a thriving force for change. We walk hand-in-hand with our people, confronting each challenge through unity and vision.
Our purpose remains constant: to uplift our community through economic development, education, wellness, and culture. We invest in our entrepreneurs, support students, and improve healthcare from birth onwards.
Soon, full self-governance will allow us to manage our lands as our ancestors once did. This sovereignty will empower future generations while strengthening our nation as a whole.
Our journey continues thanks to fearless, compassionate leaders dedicated to our people. Experience the power of shared purpose at Seabird Island. Together, we will reach new heights.
• Council Executive Committee(1)
• Signing Authority(1)
• Child, Family and Early Years Development(1)
ADDITIONAL BOARDS & SOCIETIES:
– Stó:lō Tribal Council (STC)
– Community to Community (C2C)
– S4
– AFN (Assembly of First Nations)
– Union of BC Indian Chiefs
– School Society
– Tiyt Tribe
Éy Swayél. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve Seabird Island, a place I am proud to call home. For over 33 years, I have had the honour of serving on Council, learning from our community, and working to strengthen the well-being and future of our people. It has been, and continues to be, a privilege to represent Seabird and witness the growth and progress we have made as a community.
I carry with me my mother, Stella Garner, and my grandmother, Annie Garner, and I am thankful to Mom and Dad Pettis for their teachings and raising me with love and guidance. As a survivor of St. Mary’s Residential School, I understand the importance of resilience, compassion, and the responsibility I have to support, protect, and empower our future generations.
Throughout my years of service, I have been fortunate to contribute in many areas; housing, infrastructure, lands, health, child and family services, and governance. I am grateful for the chance to advocate for housing, support capital projects, and work on initiatives that improve the quality of life for our community.
My hope has always been to guide sustainable growth while keeping our people, our culture, and our community at the center of every decision. I am especially thankful for the opportunity to work with our youth and families, supporting initiatives in education, well-being, and opportunity.
I believe that investing in our young people is essential in building a strong, self-determined future, and it brings me great joy to see them thrive. I strive to lead with humility, respect, and integrity, walking alongside others and offering my time, care, and support freely, without judgment or hesitation.
Sharing what I have learned, gained through my experiences, mistakes and successes and guiding the next generation is something I am deeply grateful for.
My connection to our culture and teachings shapes everything I do. I am honoured to carry forward the stories, practices, and spirit of our ancestors, ensuring that the traditions and values of Seabird Island remain at the heart of leadership and community life.
I am humbled by the trust placed in me and grateful for the chance to serve, learn, and grow alongside my community. Every day, I am reminded of what it means to be Seabird Strong through the resilience, strength, and beauty of our people.
I am thankful to play a part in shaping a hopeful future for all generations to come.
Marcie Peters (Siyolwelh)
Chief & Council Ceremony - March 2nd, 2026
Our Councillors
Éy Swayél, from Siyolwelh. Her given name is Marcie Peters.
Marcie’s mother Stella Garner and Grandmother, Annie Garner were from Union Bar First Nation. She was raised by Tiny and Henry Pettis.
Marcie is a survivor of the St. Mary’s Residential School.
In her time on Council, she has brought to the table her experience and knowledge on housing matters, property management, and capital projects. Marcie is a Community Member who likes being involved with families helping in any way she can. She has been fortunate to have had cultural teachers in the community who taught her our protocols and traditional ways. This is ongoing learning.
In her free time Marcie goes to her ancestral home, wind drying and canning fish. Also, she takes pride in working in her yard and flower garden.
Ey swayél,
Squa:thom tel skwíx. My last 2 terms on Council have been an honour to serve our people. Though my passion hasn’t waned for working on the betterment of our community. My mission remains to be continuing to strengthen our governance while also moving towards self-governance. Self-governance meaning that we assert our rights to determining our future instead of the government doing it for us. However, our progress hinges on our connection and support to the Tiyt Tribes, so that we can assert our rights and title.
I’ve gotten to be heavily involved in the development of the 10-year health plan. The process has been rewarding. The most powerful engagement being the table of family heads, hearing the voices of the matriarchs and patriarchs invokes hope for our future, that we can make change together. It all relies on the Council table acting and managing accountability, especially the CAO/ Executive Director Accountability. The CAO/Executive Director is key for the direction at council to be carried out and implemented.
Education has also made some unique progress with education jurisdiction that I’ve been able to be involved in. Education jurisdiction allowing us to govern the accreditation of our culture.
Additionally, the progress of economic prosperity for the development corporation is back on track. We have published our first annual report and plan to report on the first 10 years in 2023. We have been able to reinvest into scholarships, post secondary students and pay back the band. Meaning we are ready to implement our strategic plan where our earnings support our people, culture, and services financially.
I have been proud of the development in the Rights and Title program. The additional professionals have created a legitimacy for our stewardship of our traditional territory. We need to expand our involvement to support the Tiyt Tribes to bring the resources and change with developing talks with BC and Canada.
Our future is bright, everything is within our grasp. It relies on the involvement of the community going forward.
Hello, my name is Willow Walker, I have lived and grown up in our beautiful Community, I graduated from Seabird Island Community School. My parents are Betty and Orville Walker, my Grandparents were Bertha *Birdie* and Stanley Peters.
First and foremost, I would like to thank Our Community Members for allowing me to take on this new position as Councillor. Also thank you to the staff and administration for being supportive as we take on these new roles in Chief and Council.
There have been a few meetings since we have taken on these roles, I have been listening and learning how the meetings are carried out, and my role as Councillor. I am looking forward to working within my portfolios and with our Seabird Island Members. I have also sat in on meetings outside of my Portfolios, as I am very interested in learning as much as I can on how everything runs and works.
With Covid restrictions lifted we are looking forward to seeing everyone, having gatherings, celebrations, and in person meetings. We need to come together as a Community, hear the problems and issues, find ways to help where its needed and work together, as a Community. I’d like to encourage all Seabird Island members to come out to meetings, lets work together, and continue to build up and take care of our People and Community.
Coming Soon!
Coming Soon!
Coming Soon!
Coming Soon!
Coming Soon!
Tyrone McNeil-Bobb
– Audit Committee
• Inter-Government Affairs / Aboriginal Rights & Title (2)
• Sq’ewqel Development Corporation (1)
ADDITIONAL BOARDS & SOCIETIES:
– Forestry
– School Society
– Tiyt Tribe
Marcia Peters (Marcie)
• Signing Authority (2)
– Sq’ep Committee
• Finance & Administration (3)
– Audit Committee
• Child & Family Early Years Development (2)
• Lands & Community Infrastructure(1)
– Lands Advisory Committee
– Emergency Management Committee
– Election Code Review Committee
– Self-Governance Steering Committee
– Governance Manual Review
Committee
• Sq’ewqel Development Corporation(2)
ADDITIONAL BOARDS & SOCIETIES:
– School Society
– Tiyt Tribe
Willow Walker
• Council Executive Committee(2)
• Justice(2)
• Signing Authority(3)
• Finance & Administration(1)
– Audit Committee
• Health Services & Community Wellness(1)
• Lands & Community Infrastructure (2)
– Lands Advisory Committee
– Emergency Management Committee
• Housing (1)
– Election Code Review Committee
ADDITIONAL BOARDS & SOCIETIES:
– School Society
– Tiyt Tribe
Rodney Peters
• Education (2)
– Board of Education
– College Board
• Inter-Government Affairs / Aboriginal Rights
& Title (1)
– Governance Manual Review Committee
ADDITIONAL BOARDS & SOCIETIES:
– S’ólh Téméxw Stewardship Alliance (STSA)
– Forestry
– Commonage Lands Committee
(Coqualeetza, Pekwʼxe꞉yles, XÁ:ytem)
– School Society
– Tiyt Tribe
Arlene (Lolly) Andrew
• Health Services & Community Wellness (2)
• Education (1)
– Board Of Education
– College Board
– Youth Leadership Council
• Inter-Government Affairs / Aboriginal Rights
& Title (4)
ADDITIONAL BOARDS & SOCIETIES:
– School Society
– Tiyt Tribe
Caundine Fisher
– Sq’ep Committee
• Education (3)
• Youth Leadership (1)
ADDITIONAL BOARDS & SOCIETIES:
– School Society
– Tiyt Tribe
Marlana Peters
• Council Executive Committee(3)
• Justice (1)
• Finance & Administration (2)
• Child & Family Early Years Development (3)
• Inter-Government Affairs / Aboriginal Rights & Title (3)
ADDITIONAL BOARDS & SOCIETIES:
– School Society
– Tiyt Tribe
Tasheenah Peters
– Sq’ep Committee
• Youth Leadership (2)
• Sq’ewqel Development Corporation (3)
ADDITIONAL BOARDS & SOCIETIES:
– School Society
– Tiyt Tribe
SQ’ÉWQEL Results 2026 Election
Official results FOR THE ELECTION ON April 15th, 2026
This election, and all of its regulatory processes and requirements, were diligently conducted in accordance with the Seabird Island Election Code (2016)
To the office of Chief:
- Pettis, Margaret (Maggie)
To the office of Councillor:
- Peters, Rodney
- Walker, Willow
- Fisher, Chaundine
- Andrew, Arlene (Lolly)
- Peters, Marlana
- Peters, Marcia (Marcie)
- McNeil-Bobb, Tyrone
- Peters, Tasheenah
