Whispering Pines/ Clinton Band newly elected Chief and Council step into their roles with celebration and commitment to their homelands
On February 6, 2026, the newly elected Chief and Council for Whispering Pines/ Clinton Band started their first day in office by meeting at the shores of Kelly Lake. They then assembled at their Territorial Stewardship Office to sign their oath of office. This signing ceremony, a new practice, was put in place so each member of Council could publicly demonstrate their commitment to the role of Kúkpi7 (Chief) and Tk̓wem7íple7 (Councillor).
Sunny LeBourdais and Mat Lewis both served as Councillors for the past two terms. Mat was re-elected as a Councillor and Sunny LeBourdais was elected as Chief, making her the first female Chief elected to Whispering Pines/ Clinton Band. Darcy LeBourdais and Judy Sturm were elected for the first time to serve as Councillors. Whispering Pines/ Clinton Band is comprised of members from Steke'7ús (Little Hanging Bridge/Big Bar) and Pellt’íqt (People of the White Earth) and this council brings in a balance of representation.
Collectively, they bring a wealth of experience in fields as diverse as government relations, law and governance, youth and community engagement, natural resource management, and public health. Utilising the lens of seven generation thinking, their goal is to build long lasting infrastructure in key areas like housing, health, and resource management while strengthening relationships with all levels of government.
Whispering Pines/ Clinton Band Kúkpi7 (Chief) and Tk̓wem7íple7 (Councillors).
Kúkpi7 (Chief) Sunny LeBourdais – Political Lead
Sunny LeBourdais is the Chief of Whispering Pines/Clinton Band and an Associate Research Director with the University of Victoria’s Next Steps Revitalizing Indigenous Law project. Her work focuses on revitalizing and implementing Secwépemc and Indigenous laws through community-led governance, decision-making, and impact assessment processes grounded in Indigenous legal traditions. She has played a key role in protecting Secwépemc lands, including the successful recognition of Secwépemc law in the assessment process that safeguarded Pípsell (Jacko Lake), and has advised provincial and federal bodies on environmental assessment and Indigenous governance.
Sunny brings extensive experience in economic development, governance reform, and capacity building across the Secwépemc, Okanagan, and Ktunaxa Nations to her role as Chief. Having led corporate restructuring, coordinated energy and watershed initiatives, and driven nation-building and inter-jurisdictional collaboration rooted in Secwépemc laws and customs, she is looking forward to solidifying those areas of governance in her home territory. Sunny holds a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Education, a Master of Science, and completed the Ch’nook Aboriginal Management Program from University of British Columbia’s Sauder School of Business.
Tk̓wem7íple7 (Councillor) Mat Lewis – Capital, Housing, Infrastructure & Lands, Administration & Finance Portfolios
Mathew Lewis is a dedicated leader and community advocate, re-elected for a third consecutive term as Councillor for Whispering Pines/ Clinton Band. With a strong commitment to the well-being of the community, in the prior two terms, he successfully managed the health, housing, and land portfolios. During his tenure, he was instrumental in the construction of two five-plex buildings on IR 4 and facilitated multiple land purchases, enhancing housing options and promoting sustainable development for the community.
Mathew brings over 20 years of experience as an electrician, leading major projects across North America. This unique background equips him with the practical knowledge and skills necessary to organize and execute projects with strict timelines and budgets. Mathew is passionate about ensuring a brighter future for Whispering Pines/ Clinton Band and is committed to working collaboratively to achieve sustainable growth and development.
Tk̓wem7íple7 (Councillor) Darcy LeBourdais – Yucwmenulúcw/ Stewardship Portfolio
Darcy LeBourdais has over 20 years of championing sustainable forestry management solutions focusing on bridging collaborations between forestry initiatives and First Nations communities to ensure mutual respect and advantageous partnerships that incorporate Indigenous ways of knowing. He applies lessons from the land and from his Secwépemc culture to his forestry practices, including seven generation thinking, transparency, and accountability.
Darcy has represented Whispering Pines/Clinton Band in government-to-government negotiations and acted as a project lead with the First Nation’s stewardship office to oversee the Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area plan implementation and sustainable practices, including carbon project analysis, steering projects centered on soil baseline studies and above-ground biomass carbon sequestration, leading the charge in planning, developing, and registering forest and biochar-based carbon sinks on agricultural lands. Darcy is a Registered Professional Forester (RPF) with numerous recognition awards including WWF-Canada Nature-X-Challenge Final Award Recipient, Business of the Year Award from BC Indigenous Business Awards, and Entrepreneur of the year from All Nations Trust Company.
Tk̓wem7íple7 (Councillor) Judy Sturm – Education, Social Development and Health Portfolios
Judy Sturm brings nearly 30 years of progressive nursing experience, including 15 years in Indigenous-focused executive and senior health leadership roles to her new role overseeing the social and health portfolios for Whispering Pines/Clinton Band. Having led complex, multi-jurisdictional initiatives, Judy is looking forward to applying her expertise toward improving public health, mental wellness, program evaluation, quality improvement, health informatics, policy development, and systems transformation within her own community. Judy hopes to bring structural change to her local community that will cement health and wellbeing to current and future generations.
Judy holds a Master of Nursing and a Master of Science in Health Informatics – a double degree (Thesis / Co‑op) from the University of Victoria. In addition, she has a Bachelor of Nursing and multiple diplomas and certificates in Patient Safety, Aboriginal Management, Gerontology, Mental Health, and Project Management.