A northern Saskatchewan chief is weighing in on a new piece of legislation introduced in Parliament this week.
The First Nations Election Act is designed to provide bands with stronger governments.
Among other things, it stipulates that First Nations who run their votes under the Indian Act will begin electing leaders for four-year terms instead of the current two-year term limit.
Chief Roy Cheecham of the Clearwater River Dene Nation says he doesn’t like to see the government impose conditions on First Nations, and wishes the bands would be allowed to do it themselves.
That being said, Cheecham does see the value in changing terms from two years to four years.
He says one of the main advantages is that having leaders in place for longer periods of time gives businesses more certainly when they sit down to talk about development.
Cheecham also says any new person who gets elected to a band council needs time to familiarize themselves with band programs — as well as the band’s interactions with the federal and provincial governments.
Clearwater River has been using four-year term limits for over 20 years.
The new legislation will affect 240 First Nations in Canada who still hold their elections under the Indian Act.