After months of speculation, Bobby Cameron made it official announcing he is running for Chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations.
Yesterday, during the FSIN Executive Council/Indian Government Commission meeting the FSIN Second-Vice Chief announced to Chiefs and Tribal Chiefs his candidacy for Office of the Chief.
“I will be seeking the position of the FSIN Chief,” Cameron said. “Effective September 28, I will be resigning from office, from my Second Vice Chief position.”
Cameron was first elected to the FSIN Executive back in the fall of 2011 to the Office of Second Vice Chief. Last year, Cameron received one of the highest mandates in the history of the organization when he was re-elected.
“We all want to say we have a lot of support, right, I feel confident, I feel pretty good about things,” said Cameron. “We’re at a critical time, where the people of Saskatchewan, the Elders, the youth, the grassroots people, the Chiefs and councils, are going to put someone at the helm that’s going to be that voice.”
Cameron recently reached an agreement with the Province of Saskatchewan that recognizes First Nation jurisdiction on education.
“We all know that inherent and treaty rights in every sector is a priority,” says Cameron. “It’s the first of its kind in Canada in terms of an agreement. The province is basically saying to the federal government the treaty right to education is a federal Crown responsibility.”
Upon learning of Cameron’s decision to run, the Executive Council/Indian Government Commission passed a resolution calling for an election this October for the vacant office.
The only other candidate that has formally announced plans to run for Chief is Helen Ben.
The former Meadow Lake Tribal Council Tribal Chief made the announcement during the Loon Lake powwow.