Registered Métis residents of Hay River will choose their council members for the next three years when the Hay River Métis Government Council holds its election on Thursday, July 9, 2026 at 5:30 p.m.
The council represents Métis citizens in Hay River and is one of three Métis governments that make up the Northwest Territory Métis Nation, along with the Fort Resolution Métis Government Council and the Fort Smith Métis Council. Together, they are in self-government and land claims negotiations with Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories, working toward a formal agreement on governance, land, and law-making powers.
The current council was elected in June 2022, with Trevor Beck as president, Dwayne Klause as vice president, and Sheldon Whitlock as secretary treasurer. Board members included Irene Lepine, Devon Beck, Quentin Steinwand, Garett Flaherty, and Sharon Moore. It is not yet known who will seek re-election.
Residents looking for information on nomination requirements or voter eligibility can call the council office at 867-874-4470. The election comes as the Northwest Territory Métis Nation marked a significant milestone earlier this year, signing a memorandum of understanding with the Métis National Council on March 9, 2026. That agreement makes the NWTMN the only Métis government in the three territories with a formal relationship to the national body.
The council has also played a role in helping the community recover from recent hardships, including severe flooding in 2022 and two wildfire evacuations in 2023. The election offers residents a chance to shape leadership as Hay River continues to rebuild and plan for the future.
