Lifelong Merrittonian Aaron Sumexheltza is looking to overcome a bumpy start to his candidacy and be elected as the MLA for Fraser-Nicola as a member of the BC NDP party.

Sumexheltza, one of five indigenous candidates running for the NDP in BC, was born in Merritt and both of his parents are from within the Fraser-Nicola riding. His grandparents, Dennis and Louise Sam, were well-known cattle ranchers in the area. Sumexheltza, who welcomed a son with his wife nine months ago, feels that he has ties to the riding from both the past and for the future. 

“We plan to live here in the future for many, many years more… we’re going to be raising our son here,” said Sumexheltza.

“I love the Valley; I love the Southern Interior and the communities in Fraser-Nicola and I know a lot of families and people love it as well.”

Sumexheltza believes it is important for people in the rural areas of the province, such as within the Fraser-Nicola riding, to have the opportunity to live and work where they feel most at home.

“Whether you’re a senior, or single or have a family, people should be able to live where they want to live and raise a family and enjoy the beautiful countryside that we have,” said Sumexheltza.

“And I believe that with my experience as a former chief of LNIB and being a lawyer that I have a lot to offer and I would be a great advocate for people that live in the riding. If I get elected, I’ll go to Victoria and I’ll fight for the people of Fraser-Nicola.”

One of the key issues Sumexheltza plans to address is healthcare for people who live in the riding.

“Healthcare is really important, over the last couple years since the NDP has been in government we announced the expanded emergency department here locally in Merritt,” said Sumexheltza.

“Healthcare is definitely an issue all across the riding in places like Ashcroft, Lillooet, Hope, and we need to move forward with expanded healthcare, especially as we manage this pandemic. The BC Liberals have a history of cutting healthcare and leaving our seniors and families vulnerable, and I believe with the track record that the BC NDP has, and John Horgan has that we will continue to invest in healthcare that’s going to benefit everyone.”

Sumexheltza also believes that forestry is important, and that it was also handled poorly by the BC Liberals.

“In forestry, for example, when the BC Liberals were in government for 16 years they mismanaged our forests and throughout the province dozens of mills shut down, here locally the Tolko mill shut down, and we lost over 200 jobs,” said Sumexheltza.

“I’m going to do what I can to make sure that communities themselves benefit from the natural resources that are around us, and supporting families that are reliant on the forestry sector, so we have good jobs for people and families across the riding.”

Although campaigning will look different due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Sumexheltza wants voters to know that he is available and wants to hear what they have to say.

“What my team is doing is we’re travelling around the riding, listening to people to hear what the issues are that are important to them, and we’re going to continue to do that until the election,” said Sumexheltza.

“And then, on election day or whenever the results come out, if I’m the next MLA here in Fraser-Nicola, then the real hard work begins to improve the life of everyone in the riding.”