Dianne Francois (L) and James Tomma are pictured here. (Image Credit: Skwlāx te Secwepemcúl̓ecw/CFJC Today)
Election Results

Skwlāx te Secwepemcúl̓ecw band members elect new Kukpi7

Jun 29, 2025 | 8:30 AM

CHASE, B.C. — Residents of Skwlax te Secwepemcu´lecw – formerly the Little Shuswap Lake Band – have elected a new chief to represent them.

Dianne Francois was elected as Kukpi7 after she unseated incumbent James Tomma on election day Saturday (June 28). Francois got 54 votes to Tomma’s 39.

Two other candidates – Leigh Anderson and Jabala J.J. August-Sjodin – got 30 and two votes respectively.

According to the band, there were 125 ballots cast out of 299 eligible voters for a turnout of 42 per cent.

The majority of votes – 89 – were cast at the Skwlax polling station, with 30 ballots cast at the Tappen polling station. Another six people voted by mail.

Tomma was in his first term as Kukpi7 and was tasked with overseeing the band’s recovery after the Bush Creek East fire through the region in 2023.

The band has also pledged to rebuild the guest wing of the Quaaout Lodge, which was destroyed by fire in 2022. That rebuild was put on the back burner as the band shifted its priorities to focus on rebuilding the homes that were destroyed by the Bush Creek Fire.

According to the band’s website, Francois was working as the Protected and Conserved Areas Manager for Skwlāx te Secwepemcúl̓ecw.

Prior to his election, Tomma worked as a water operator in the band’s public works department.