SASKATOON – Candidates in Thursday’s Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) election say the recent federal election victory by the Liberals could create more opportunities for the organization’s next chief.
“The door is open for us to have those types of nation-to-nation relationships and those discussions,” said candidate Helen Ben, who was formally chief of the Meadow Lake Tribal Council.
Prime minister-designate Justin Trudeau, on the campaign trail, promised to work with First Nations leaders across the country. FSIN chief candidate Bobby Cameron said the group’s next leader will need to hold Trudeau to his word.
READ MORE: U of S will host forum to examine how universities can respond to TRC
“Now it’s just a matter of sitting down with him at the table and getting him to commit in writing.”
Get daily National news
Cameron and Ben are in a three-way leadership race that also includes Leo Omani, who declined an interview with Global News. The election is taking place during the FSIN fall legislative assembly at TCU Place in Saskatoon.
Both Ben and Cameron say the next leader needs to advocate for all members of the 74 First Nations who make up the FSIN.
“To always be focused on our inherent and treaty rights for all sectors: education, housing, the treat right to our medicine chest clause,” said Cameron.
“The list goes on and on.”
READ MORE: Saskatoon residents hope Trudeau keeps promises on aboriginal issues
Ben said one focus for the next FSIN chief should be maintaining the group’s presence in the province.
“It should be there, right on the forefront,” said Ben.
“Working with our communities, working with our chiefs and council members and being there at the forefront, they need to take their rightful place in society and we need to make sure that happens.”
Polls for the election open Thursday morning and the results are expected to be finalized later in the day.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.