Council
The Shuswap Band Council is the administrative and governing body of the Shuswap Indian Band. Our Council is responsible for negotiating with governments, monitoring finances, implementing programs, and managing issues that arise within the community. Band elections are held every two years in the month of October.
Our Council members are:
Chief Paul Sam
Paul Sam, (also known as Johnny Martin) has been Chief of the Shuswap Indian Band for 30 years. He was born in 1936 on the Akisq’nuk Reserve, grew up on the Shuswap and Salmon River Reserves and in Salmon Arm. He attended residential school until he was fifteen years of age when he left home and moved to Washington State in the USA. He married Alice in 1953 and lived in the United States making his living in the trucking industry and as a mill-worker. Chief Sam and his family returned to the area in 1979 and one year later, at the request of community members, ran for Council and became Chief of the Shuswap Indian Band. Paul Sam has four children, twelve grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Councillor Alice Sam
Alice Sam was born in 1932 on the Penticton reservation as one of fourteen children. She attended the Saint Eugene Mission in Cranbrook from ages six to seventeen. In 1953 she married Paul Sam and became a member of the Shuswap Band. The couple lived in the Washington State for a number of years before moving themselves and their children back to the Shuswap reserve in 1979. Throughout her life, Alice has undertaken a variety of jobs including bookkeeping, apple picking, teaching, cooking and making and selling buckskin gloves. Today she spends her time in her role as a member of Shuswap Council and with her four children, eleven grandchildren and one great-grandson.
Councillor Diana Cote
Diana Cote was elected to Shuswap Indian Band Council in October of 2008. She grew up on the Shuswap Reserve and attended the local elementary and High School in Invermere. She then finished her studies at Camosun College in Victoria. Councilor Cote has a strong background in entrepreurship and business management. She and her husband Gord Cleland currently live in Invermere and own and operate several businesses in the area. She has two Children, Zachary 18 years old and Alexander 20 years old. who both work and manage one of Diana's businesses.