Bloodvein Moves to First Nations Elections Act

Summary#

The federal government registered the Order Amending the Indian Bands Council Elections Order (Bloodvein), removing Bloodvein from the list of First Nations whose chiefs and councils are chosen under the Indian Act. At the same time, Bloodvein asked to move its elections to the First Nations Elections Act, and the change took effect when the order was registered on February 26, 2026.

What it does#

• Repeals Item 3 of Part IV of Schedule I to the Indian Bands Council Elections Order, which ends the application of the Indian Act election rules to Bloodvein.
• Is paired with a separate order (described in the same Canada Gazette notice) that adds Bloodvein to the schedule of the First Nations Elections Act and sets the first election date under that Act as August 31, 2026.
• The order was made at the request of Bloodvein’s council and came into force on the day it was registered (February 26, 2026).

Who's affected#

• Primarily members of the Bloodvein First Nation.
• Local officials involved in running elections for Bloodvein (for example, the electoral officer).
• Federal officials who support First Nations governance (for example, staff at Indigenous Services Canada) will be involved in implementation matters, but the change is specific to Bloodvein.

Why it matters#

• The switch moves Bloodvein out of the federal Indian Act election regime and into a newer federal election law designed for First Nations. That law typically sets longer terms and different rules.
• The Canada Gazette notice says elections under the First Nations Elections Act are held every four years instead of every two years under the Indian Act, which could mean fewer elections and lower administrative costs for the community.
• The change gives the community control to run its own elections under the procedures and dispute rules of the First Nations Elections Act, including court options for contesting elections and penalties for election offences.