Wendy Snow

District 8 Candidate for Captain

Guided by Our Ancestors. Building for Our Children.

Voting

Voter Information

How will I know when there is an election in my District?

Whenever an election is called for the Otipemisiwak Métis Government, the Chief Electoral Officer will issue a Notice of Vote.

The Notice of Vote and Election Announcement will be posted on the website of the Office Chief Electoral Officer (OCEO) at metiselectionsab.com

The Notice of Vote will also be published in local print media, and on OCEO social media channels.

The Otipemisiwak Métis Government also shares the Notice of Vote through the following communication channels:

Otipemisiwak Métis Government website (albertametis.com)
Email blasts to Métis citizens
Voyageur Voice newsletter
Otipemisiwak Métis Government Social Media Channels

Do I need to register to vote?

Métis citizens do not need to register to vote. If you are an active citizen of the Otipemisiwak Métis Government, aged 16 or older on the final day of voting and have lived in your district for 90 days before the close of voting, you will automatically be added to the voter’s list.

It is strongly recommended by the Chief Electoral Officer that Métis citizens confirm that they have the correct information on file with the Otipemisiwak Métis Government Registry department – this includes your residential address, mailing address, email and mobile number. This ensures that you don’t miss out on receiving updates and information on elections.

Métis citizens can confirm and update their information using the Contact Information Portal.

If you have questions about using the portal, or updating your contact information, please reach out to the Registry Department at 780-455-2200 or send an email to registry@metis.org

Please note that the Office of the Chief Electoral Office cannot update citizens contact information.

Who is eligible to vote in Otipemisiwak Métis Government Elections?

Active Métis citizens of the Otipemisiwak Métis Government, with a valid MNA number.
Citizens who are sixteen (16) years of age or older
Citizen who have been ordinarily resident in a District for at least 90 days before the close of voting.
- Eligibility for voting is based on residential address, not mailing address.
If a citizen is not ordinarily resident in a District, they are entitled to vote in an election for the office of President, Provincial Women’s Representative, and Provincial Youth
Representative, or in a referendum. However, they would not be eligible to vote for Citizens’ Representative, District Captain, or District Councillor.

Do I need to request a mail-in ballot package?

Each eligible voter will automatically be sent a mail-in ballot package to the mailing address that is on file with the Otipemisiwak Métis Government Registry department.

Citizens do not need to request a package, unless they have not received one after the mail-in ballots have been sent out.

How do I sign up for online voting?

Eligible Métis citizens can sign up for online voting 10 days before the final day of vote. The link to sign up for online voting will be posted to metiselectionsab.com.

When you register for online voting, you will need to fill out a form with some questions to confirm your identity. Once the Chief Electoral Office has confirmed your identity, you will be sent a pin. This can take up to 2 business days. On the last day of voting, this can take up to 2 hours.

Online voting is available for 7 days before the final day of voting, from 8 am – 8 pm.

How and why did a Candidate receive my information?

Under the Elections and Referenda Act, the Chief Electoral Officer must distribute the final list of voters to each Candidate in the election. Section 51 (Use of list of voters) of the Elections and Referenda Act outlines how candidates can use the Voters list. All candidates must sign a declaration stating they will use the list in accordance with the Act.

Candidates running for Citizens’ Representative, and candidates running in District Elections (District Captain or District Councillor) can receive a list of eligible voters within the District they are running.

Candidates running for Provincial-wide positions (President, Provincial Women’s Representative and Provincial Youth Representative) will receive a list of eligible voters from all Districts across the province.

The Voters List includes contact information for citizens.

As the Voter’s List is to be used for specific purposes under the Elections and Referenda Act, acclaimed Candidates do not receive access to the Voters List.

Citizens who wish to be removed from the Voters List will need to reach out to the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer at Elections@metis.org or 1-877-576-4250.

How can I find out which Métis District I live in?

The Chief Electoral Office has put together a District Mapping Tool using Google Maps to help citizens determine which district they reside in. Citizens can access the District Mapping Tool by visiting metiselectionsab.com/district_mapping_tool.

Citizens may also reach out to the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer at Elections@metis.org or 1-877-576-4250 if further assistance is required to find their District.

Where can I find the list of Candidates running?

The list of candidates will be posted approximately five to seven (5-7) days after the nomination period has ended. The list of Candidates will be posted to metiselectionsab.com.

Where can I find further information about the Candidates?

Candidates are responsible for sharing information with Citizens about their Candidacy e.g., their position on issues. Citizens are encouraged to seek out this information about the Candidates prior to submitting their ballots. Please note that the Chief Electoral Office is not responsible for collecting and providing campaign information.

When should I return my mail-in ballot?

If you intend to vote via mail-in ballot, please return your ballot as soon as possible. Mail-in ballots must be received by the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer by 8pm on the last day of voting to be counted.

Voter Assistance

Citizens who are unable to vote by the voting methods provided (in-person polling stations, mail-in ballots, online voting) can contact the Chief Electoral Office for additional voter assistance. Citizens can request this assistance by contacting the Chief Electoral Office at Elections@metis.org or 1-877-576-4250.

About Me

I was born in Peace River, raised in central Alberta, and have proudly called Drayton Valley home since 1994. My family background is a blend of First Nations (Sioux and Iroquois ancestry that mixed with the Plains Cree) and European heritage, and I proudly identify as Métis — honouring both sides of my family’s story.

I previously worked as the Office Manager and Case Worker at the Drayton Valley–Devon Constituency Office, where I spent the past nine years helping people navigate government systems to access programs and supports in education, healthcare, housing, and seniors’ services. This experience has given me a deep understanding of how government works — and how to make it work for the people it serves.

Over the years, I’ve been actively involved in my community through numerous volunteer and leadership roles. I serve as Treasurer for the Drayton Valley & District Agricultural Society, and I’ve served on boards including Communities in Bloom, Pembina Crisis Connection Society, and the Mayor’s Advisory Board. I was also a board member with Lions Club International for seven years and volunteered with Santa’s Anonymous for ten.

Education and youth development have always been close to my heart. I’ve served on School Councils at four Drayton Valley schools since 1995, attended Alberta School Councils Association AGMs, and was honoured with the Public Education Volunteer of the Year Award in 2011 from the Alberta Teachers’ Association. I also helped design and build outdoor learning spaces such as the Eco Garden classrooms at Eldorado Elementary and Drayton Christian School. Beyond schools, I’ve been involved with Drayton Valley Minor Hockey, the Soccer Association, Air Cadets (as both a parent committee member and volunteer instructor), West Valley Canine 4-H, and Drayton Valley Playschool.

Today, I am proud to serve as President of the Drayton Valley & District Métis Local and as the interim District Captain for District 8 within the Otipemisiwak Métis Government. I also sit on the Board of Roots of Resilience Charter School as board chair, where I advocate for land-based, culturally grounded education rooted in Indigenous ways of knowing.

My goal is to help Métis Citizens move closer to self-determination, independence, and empowerment — ensuring our people have the tools and voice to assert and exercise their inherent rights. I view my constituents as family and treat their concerns as my own. With my experience in government, community leadership, and advocacy, I’m ready to represent District 8 and help build a strong, self-governing Métis Nation for future generations.

When I’m not serving the community, I love gardening, beading, harvesting plants for traditional medicines, and rockhounding along the North Saskatchewan River. I’ve been married to my wonderful husband for 33 years and am the proud mother of two adult children.

Commitments

When Elected......

1. Publish an annual resource called the Métis Made: A Guide to Our Businesses & Supports. That promotes Metis Businesses and resources-- all in one place.

2. Develop a Culture Camp in Partnership with Lesser Slave Lake Metis District 21. To increase the sharing of resources and knowledge among our Nation.

3. Offer cultural programming to teach promote and preserve our unique Metis Culture. A yearly convention and smaller meetings.

Why I am Running for District Captain and My Priorities

I am running for District Captain with the Otipemisiwak Métis Government because I believe in serving our people with dedication, compassion, and accountability. Over the past year and a half, I have had the privilege of serving as the Métis Local President, and since the transition, I have also been honored to serve as the interim District Captain. These roles have given me valuable experience in building connections, listening to community voices, and working to strengthen the foundation of our new government.

For the past 10 years, I have also worked in the public sector on the front lines as a constituency assistant with the Alberta provincial government. In that role, I helped citizens navigate many challenges-whether it was income support, housing, WCB claims, medical needs, or helping seniors. access housing and healthcare. That experience has given me the skills and understanding to assist people with complex issues and to advocate effectively for their needs.

My passion now is to continue that work, but with a focus on supporting our Métis citizens. If elected as District Captain, my priorities will be to ensure that Métis families and citizens can access the resources, programs, and services they need to thrive. I will work to make sure every citizen feels heard and represented as our new government grows and takes shape. I will also continue to advocate for services and opportunities that create jobs, training, and supports for our people at every stage of life. Equally important, I will promote and preserve our culture by supporting land-based learning, cultural programming, and initiatives that connect us to our history, language, and traditions.

I am running because I care deeply about our people. My experience has always been about helping others, and I want to continue that work by standing up for the needs, rights, and voices of our Métis citizens as District Captain.

How I Plan to Represent and Advocate for the Needs of Métis Citizens in Our District

My experience working for over 10 years in a constituency office has prepared me well for this role. In that position, I worked directly with citizens who needed help with everything from income support to housing, WCB claims, seniors' care, and medical needs. I learned how to navigate government systems, connect people to the right resources, and advocate on their behalf. The work I did then for all citizens, I am now committed to focusing specifically on the needs of our Métis people.

As a Métis woman, I walk in two worlds. I understand how to access supports within western systems, and I also recognize the importance of drawing on the unique resources and programs available through our Otipemisiwak Métis Government. This balance allows me to serve our people with both practical knowledge and cultural understanding.

To make this work even more effective, I am opening a district office where citizens will be able to come for direct support. I already have a dedicated staff member ready to begin who is well-versed in the services and supports available through the Otipemisiwak Métis Government. Together, we will ensure that citizens in our district have a strong voice, timely access to resources, and a place to turn when they need help.

What Strategies Would I Implement to Strengthen and Protect Métis Culture, Language, and Traditions in Our District?

How I Plan to Engage and Involve Youth, Elders, LGBTQIA+, and Other Community Members

I believe that strong leadership means listening to every voice in our community. If elected as District Captain, I will keep an open-door policy at the district office so citizens always feel welcome to bring forward their ideas and concerns. I will also ensure regular newsletters are sent out to keep people informed, and I will use both online and phone polling to gather feedback so that everyone has a chance to be heard, no matter their schedule or comfort level.

For important issues, I will host town hall meetings to bring people together for open discussion and collective problem-solving. I am committed to promoting safe, respectful, and inclusive engagement, making sure that youth, Elders, LGBTQIA+ citizens, and all community members feel valued and included in the decision-making process. Every citizen in our district deserves a voice, and I will work hard to ensure that no one is left out of shaping our future together.

How I Will Foster Relationships to Advance the Rights and Interests of Métis People in Alberta

I believe that building and maintaining strong relationships is one of the most important responsibilities of a District Captain. For more than 10 years, I worked in a constituency office where I built strong working connections with provincial and federal government agencies, politicians, and staff. These experiences gave me not only the knowledge of how governments operate, but also the personal relationships needed to advocate effectively on behalf of our citizens.

Through my work as a founding member of the Roots of Resilience Indigenous Charter School, I have also developed meaningful connections with local bands and Indigenous families. These relationships have created opportunities for collaboration and cultural exchange that strengthen our collective voice.

In addition, I bring over 30 years of volunteering with local organizations in Drayton Valley and area. Many of these organizations have sister branches throughout our district, giving me a natural pathway to extend those relationships and build new partnerships across the region. This wide network allows for stronger collaboration on programs and services that directly benefit our citizens.

By bringing together these government, Indigenous, and community relationships, I will be able to ensure that the rights and interests of Métis people are advanced at every level, and that our district has a strong, respected voice in Alberta.