Overview
The elected institutions that govern Tsawwassen are set out in the Tsawwassen Constitution. This includes the Chief, the Tsawwassen Legislature, the Executive Council, and the Advisory Council.
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Chief
TFN’s elected Chief is responsible for chairing meetings of the Executive Council, participating in the Tsawwassen Legislature, and providing ongoing strategic direction respecting day-to-day matters of Tsawwassen Government. The Chief is elected on a separate ballot at a TFN General Election, and normally serves a 4-year term in office.
The Chief works closely with the Chief Administrative Officer to manage the affairs of TFN. In addition to those responsibilities, the Chief currently sits as a Board Member on the Naust’sa mawt Tribal Council. The Chief also occupies TFN’s seat at the table of the Metro Vancouver Board of Directors, and a seat on Translink’s Mayors Council.
TFN’s current Chief is sxʷamisaat [Laura Cassidy]. She was elected to the position of Chief on October 15th, 2022.
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Tsawwassen Legislature
The Tsawwassen Legislature is the highest body of the Tsawwassen Government. It consists of 13 Tsawwassen Members, elected at a general election, plus the Chief, for a total of 14 Members. The duties of the Legislature are to discuss and make laws, which form the fundamental organizing principles and expressions of Tsawwassen Government. As part of that function the Legislature passes an annual budget, which is a key part of the accountability structure of Tsawwassen Government.
There are normally two sessions of the Legislature each year (Spring and Fall). Each session lasts approximately 2 months; the number of meetings during each session varies, depending on the number and complexity of the bills and/or resolutions that are before the legislature during a given session. All meetings of the Legislature are open to the public.
The current members of the Tsawwassen Legislature are:
- Laura Cassidy (Chief)
- Bryce Williams (Executive Council)
- Taylor Baker (Executive Council)
- Valerie Cross (Executive Council)
- Louise Ahlm (Executive Council)
- Tia Williams-Seifert
- Dawn Williams
- Melinda Cassidy
- Loretta Williams
- Maryanne Adams
- Terri Splockton
- Kathy Genge
- Trent Genge
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The Squiqel
The Squiqel (Speaker) is responsible for chairing sittings of the Legislature, maintaining order, and ensuring that legislators have a fair opportunity to speak. The Sqiuqel is chosen by the members of the Legislature during the first sitting following a general election. The Squiqel for the 2022-2026 term is Executive Councillor Valerie Cross.