The Tsuut'ina Nation has officially ushered in a new era of leadership, with Ellery Starlight being sworn in as the new Major Chief alongside twelve minor chiefs. The inauguration ceremony, a significant event for the community, was held at the Seven Chiefs Sportsplex on the morning of Wednesday, November 26, 2025.
A New Mandate for Unity and Progress
This ceremony formalized the election results from November 20, setting the course for the nation's governance for the next three years, from 2025 to 2028. In his inaugural address, Chief Starlight immediately struck a tone of inclusivity and collective responsibility. He emphasized that the strength of the Tsuut'ina people lies in their unity, a sentiment he has long championed.
"We're all one, we're all Tsuut'ina, all of us, and I've always wanted to include everybody," Starlight stated, addressing the community members. He firmly positioned himself as a servant of the people, declaring, "I'm not your boss, you're my boss. You're the one that tells me what I should be doing."
Focus on Accountability and Transparency
A cornerstone of Chief Starlight's vision is a renewed commitment to accountability and transparency. He announced clear intentions to ensure that all leadership actions remain within the bounds of policy and law, with any deviations being publicly reported. This system of checks and balances will apply both to him and the council of minor chiefs, known as the Xakujaa.
"From now on, any time a council — I'm sorry, Xakujaa or myself — we try to go beyond policy, beyond laws, that's gonna be reported," he affirmed. "That's gonna happen. That's accountability."
The newly sworn-in minor chiefs who will serve alongside Major Chief Starlight are:
- Tyson Heavenfire
- Kendall Jacobs
- Hine Crowchild
- Waylon Big Plume
- Jeanne Crowchild
- Paula Big Plume
- Kelsey Big Plume
- Corrine Eagletail
- Zachary Manywounds
- Twylla Starlight
- LeeRoy Meguinis
- Paul Whitney
Building for the Future
Looking forward, Starlight outlined key priorities for his term, focusing on capacity building and encouraging growth within the nation. He called for a collaborative effort in training and development, stating, "The only way we're going to get it done is together, training each other. That's what we got to do."
His plans for transparency extend to making information readily available to all community members. "We're gonna have things posted, we are, that's just the way it's gonna be," he promised. "We don't want to be hoarding information... It's up to us as leaders to show you what we're doing."
Acknowledging past challenges, Chief Starlight expressed confidence that the community has emerged stronger. He also highlighted the importance of engaging the youth, ensuring the next generation is prepared to become future leaders of the Tsuut'ina Nation.
