Advocate, indigenous elder Taz Bouchier running to be Edmonton mayor

Taz Bouchier, an educator, writer and grandmother, announced her intentions Wednesday to run in Edmonton’s mayoral race.

Bouchier says she’s the first indigenous woman to run for the city’s top job.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Edmonton’s 2017 municipal election

She’s lived in Edmonton for 53 years and describes herself as “an inspiring voice of change and peaceful unity for all people.”

In a statement posted on her Facebook page, Bouchier says her professional background “includes justice, corrections, community development and more recently political activism.”

The post says she’s provided bi-cultural competency training for the Solicitor General of Alberta, Victims of Crime Support Services, City of Edmonton, and has offered spiritual support to hundreds of inmates at the Edmonton Remand Centre.

RELATED: 6 months to go: Transit, development and affordable housing expected to be hot topics in Edmonton election

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“Bouchier believes in a democratic society where all people of every race and every culture have equal opportunity to be represented within the municipal level of government despite differences of cultural norms, languages and customs,” the post reads.

“An increased representation of diversity on city council is not only a want but a need for all the valued citizens of Edmonton.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "An increased representation of diversity on city council is not only a want but a need for all the valued citizens of Edmonton."

“We must all be the spark that ignites the flame of love, peace and mutual respect towards understanding difference is okay,” Bouchier said.

READ MORE: Edmonton residents approve of Mayor Iveson, but not city council: poll

“It is not for me that I do what I do, but for the younger people who will benefit from the decisions I make. It truly is imperative that we as a people consider what we build and its impact environmentally on future generations.”

READ MORE: Former city employee throws hat in Edmonton mayoral race 

Last month, a former city employee announced his intentions to run against Don Iveson.

Fahad Mughal, 35, was a business analyst but he is now focusing his attention full-time on his mayoral campaign.

Bob Ligertwood is also running for mayor.

The next municipal election is Oct. 16, 2017.