Big names vie for chief's job

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It appears there will be at least six candidates for the chiefs to consider when they gather in Vancouver later this month to select the next national chief of the Assembly of First Nations.

Incumbent Ovide Mercredi and the unanimous choice of British Columbia's First Nations Summit, Wendy Grant-John, have already declared their intentions to run.

They've recently been joined by the Grand Chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, Phil Fontaine, and by the founding chairman and president of the Indian Resource Council of Canada, Joe Dion.

Several sources say that Mississaugas of the New Credit (Ontario) band council Chief Larry Sault and at least one other person will also soon declare. The candidates had until midnight on June 20 to file nomination papers. That was after Windspeaker's press deadline.

Dion announced his intention to run during a press conference in Edmonton on June 9. The 49-year-old Cree was born on the Kehewin Indian Reserve in northeastern Alberta. The longtime manager of his own company, Vancouver-based Dion Resources, Inc., is also the chairman of the newly-formed Indian Oil and Gas Management Board. He admitted he has the typical 'let's get it done' approach that's associated with chief executive officers. But, during a phone interview, he cautioned that he would have to temper that approach somewhat if elected national chief.

"As national chief, I'll be at the command of the chiefs, but I want to represent the chiefs and the grassroots people," he said.

Dion admitted that he's doing all right financially and probably doesn't really need the tax-free $85,000 annual salary the national chief commands, but he was quick to point out that he knows what it's like to be poor.

"I've been poor. I was one of 12 kids," he said. "Yes, I made it in the big wide world, but I understand. I feel compassion."

A big part of the candidate's message is that the kind of hard work he's put into making his life a success is the key to salvation for First Nations and Aboriginal people.

"The main thrust of my campaign is to really push hard on economic development for First Nations across the country," he said. "We've got to get our people back to work. I've learned the rewards of work. I believe we've either got to find a way to keep our youth busy and productive or the high suicide rate will continue."

That doesn't mean he would put negotiations with the federal government on the back burner while he attempts to create viable economies on First Nation territories.

"I will not let the government off the hook in their fiduciary responsibilities. Canada today is called the number 1 country in the world, but within that country are some of the poorest people - my people. This has to stop. The federal government has been acting like the concerns of First Nations are not an issue. Well, I'm going to make them an issue," he said.

He believes the tax-exempt status of Aboriginal people is an advantage in the market-place that has not been exploited to its full potential.

"Legally, First Nations are tax-exempt. It's something we should maximize constructively and legitimately for our growth," he said. "First Nations should be using what they've got going for them."

Dion promises to talk tough, but smart, if given the chance to speak for the chiefs.

"I will confront. I won't back off," he said. "But you can't knock the government to the point where they don't want to talk to you."

A former journalist, Dion pledged that he would make himself available to the press, especially the Aboriginal press.

"It's the only way the national chief can communicate with the grassroots people. I believe the Native media should be first when it comes to access," he said.

Dion promised he would put his business activities on hold if elected and make the national chief's job his first and only priority.

Manitoba Chief Phil Fontaine was defeated for the second time by Mercredi in the last AFN election, but he believes the last tree years have allowed him to show the chiefs that he is ready to be the national leader. There was little fanfare when he announced his candidacy and, despite several promises by his campaign staff that he would be available for an interview, he could not be reached for comment.