The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations has wrapped up its fall legislative session by electing new members to its executive, including a new chief.
Perry Bellegarde is the new chief of the FSIN after getting twice as many votes as nearest rival Delbert Wapass. He says bridging the economic gap for First Nations is his ultimate goal. “Closing the socio-economic gap between First Nations people and the rest of society here, which means closing the education gap that's there.”
Bellegarde says he is totally opposed to any discussions regarding the Indian Act that do not involve the FSIN.
“We should be designing the process, we should be there from square one, on any kind of legislation to do with the Indian Act.”
Meanwhile, history was made during Thursday’s vote when Kim Jonathon, who currently works for the Prince Albert Grand Council, became the first woman ever elected to FSIN’s executive as first vice-chief.
“I look forward to the little girls across Saskatchewan, and nationally, to see that it can be done and hopefully I’ve inspired some of them.”
Jonathon says her focus will be on treaties, along with addressing housing shortages and access to healthy clean water.
She believes adding a female voice to the executive can only enhance it. “As the first female first vice-chief of the FSIN, I'm looking forward to bringing unity, I’m looking forward to bring integrity and values which are already there, I’m just looking forward to enhancing that.”
The swearing in ceremony and celebrations wrapped up the two-day FSIN fall legislative assembly.
