FSIN to hold election

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There are a number of familiar faces running for office in the upcoming Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) election, including three members of the current FSIN executive who are all vying for the position of chief.

Incumbent FSIN Chief Alphonse Bird will be making a bid to retain the position. Running against him are current third Vice-chief Delbert Wapass, and fourth Vice-chief Lawrence Joseph.

Bird, a member of Montreal Lake Cree Nation, is serving in his first term as FSIN chief, having been elected in October 2003. Previously, he'd served as a band councillor for Montreal Lake and as vice-chief and then chief of the Prince Albert Grand Council. Prior to his election as FSIN chief, Bird had been employed as general manager of Northern Lights Casino in Prince Albert.

Wapass, from Thunderchild First Nation, was also elected to the FSIN executive for the first time in October 2003. Wapass worked as a teacher before being elected as chief of Thunderchild.

Joseph, from Big River First Nation, has held the position of fourth vice-chief since 1997. Prior to that, he served in the Canadian military, worked for the federal government, and served two terms as a Prince Albert alderman.

Candidates for the position of first vice-chief include incumbent Morley Watson from Ochapowace First Nation, Eric Tootoosis of Poundmaker Cree Nation and former Nekaneet First Nation chief Larry Oakes.

Running for the position of third vice-chief are two former FSIN vice-chiefs-Wayne Ahenakew of Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation and Lindsay Cyr of Pasqua First Nation-and former Gordon First Nation chief Glen Pratt.

Normally, the list of candidates for the upcoming election would end there, but this time around a byelection has been added to fill the post of fourth vice-chief. Joseph, who was last re-elected as fourth vice-chief in October 2005, resigned the post in order to run as a candidate for FSIN chief.

Six candidates have come forth to try and fill the position of fourth vice-chief, including former FSIN vice-chief Allan Adam from Fond du lac Denesuline First Nation, and the FSIN's director of sport, culture, youth and recreation Lyle Daniels from Kawacatoose First Nation. Also running for the post are George Morin from Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation, former Keeseekoose First Nation chief Ted Quewezance, Mistawasis First Nation Chief Daryl Watson and Lyle Whitefish of Big River First Nation, the current tribal chief of the Agency Chiefs Tribal Council. The successful candidate will serve the remainder of Joseph's three-year term.

The FSINelection assembly will take place Oct. 24 and 25 at TCU Place in Saskatoon.