New Grand Chief elected for SNFVA

Raymond Sanderson has been elected the new Grand Chief of the Saskatchewan First Nation Veterans Association. “I am honoured to have been elected by my fellow peers,” said Sanderson. “I am committed to working hard for my fellow veterans and widows. In these short few months we will focus our initial efforts on the Grave Marker program and a fund raising initiative for our members.” Born on the James Smith Cree Nation, Sanderson entered residential school at the age of seven, where he spent the next 11 years. At school Sanderson became involved with the Army Cadets, and his brother, who had served in Germany, filled Sanderson’s head with tales of army life. At age 17, Sanderson joined the Canadian Armed Forces, and by the time he was 18 he was already in West Germany, where he completed two tours of duty with NATO Forces. Sanderson served with the 2nd Battalion (the Black Watch of Canada) and the 2nd Battalion (Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry). During his military career, he was awarded the NATO Special Services Medal, the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal, three NAVA medals and a thank you medal from Holland. Sanderson has spent the last several ye