First Nations Make Rare Endorsement in Williams Lake Mayoral Race

Indigenous governments say Surinderpal Rathor has turned around relationship after previous mayor's comments 'damaged trust.'
By Josh Kozelj.
Multiple British Columbia First Nations have taken the rare step of wading into a local municipal election.
In Williams Lake, Mayor Surinderpal Rathor is facing a challenge from the city's former mayor, Walt Cobb, marking the fourth consecutive election the two men have faced each other in the Cariboo city. Cobb beat Rathor in 2014 and 2018, before losing the mayor's chair to Rathor in 2022.
Rathor's 2022 win came a year after Cobb apologized for sharing a post that said there was an "other side" to residential schools.
Those comments still linger in the minds of locals. Last week, Williams Lake First Nation published a statement that said it had formed a "productive and respectful" relationship with Rathor and the current city council. The post, which the band shared on social media and its website, said the First Nation's experience with Cobb "was markedly different." It cited "statements and positions concerning WLFN and residential schools that damaged trust with First Nation leadership."
The Tŝilhqot'in National Government posted a similar message from its Council of Chiefs on Facebook four days later. The statement said that Rathor took steps to support the Tŝilhqot'in people whereas the communities "did not feel welcome, supported or involved" when Cobb was mayor. The Tŝilhqot'in National Government represents six Indigenous communities within the Cariboo.
About one-quarter of Williams Lake's population identifies as Indigenous. Williams Lake First Nation is the largest First Nation in the immediate vicinity, with more than 800 members and a populated reserve immediately east of the city. Its post received more than 400 likes and dozens of comments and shares.
Rathor, who in 2022 became the first Indo-Canadian mayor of Williams Lake, told The Tyee that the support was "a great honour." He had served seven consecutive terms as a councillor before losing mayoral races to Cobb in 2014 and 2018. He won a four-way race in 2022 with 34 per cent of the vote.
Rathor said the city has formed a relationship with the nation grounded in mutual respect.
"I do not deal with anybody any different than I want to be dealt," Rathor said. "I do not discriminate against anybody because of their gender, colour... I take everybody equal."
Cobb told The Tyee that "everybody has the right to endorse anybody." He reiterated his commitment to the residents of Williams Lake and surrounding area, noting that he has worked with Williams Lake First Nation numerous times in the past.
"It doesn't matter who the community is, I'm prepared to work with anybody," Cobb said.
Williams Lake First Nation Chief Willie Sellars previously called on Cobb to step down in 2021. The nation declined to comment for this story.
The support is a rare instance of First Nations communities commenting on municipal politics in the middle of a race.
In Quesnel and other B.C. communities, nations have called on municipal leaders to resign during their term due to residential school controversies and racist comments. But the calls did not come days ahead of the municipal election — nor suggest that people vote a certain way.
By contrast, the statements from Williams Lake-area First Nations singled out Rathor by name.
"WLFN has valued Mayor Rathor's constructive and respectful approach and believes his record of working with First Nations speaks for itself as electors make their choice on Oct. 17," the First Nation's Oct. 5 post reads.
Although Williams Lake First Nation's statement didn't explicitly endorse Rathor, Sellars shared it on Facebook and wrote, "Vote Surinderpal Rathor for the City of Williams Lake upcoming mayoral elections." The two leaders have formed a close bond over the last four years, Rathor told The Tyee in the spring, and Sellars had attended Rathor's June announcement that he was seeking re-election.
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