A major power outage in Prince Albert Monday delayed proceedings at the Prince Albert Grand Council’s annual fall assembly.
Just after 4 o’clock the lights went out in the gymnasium throwing everyone into the dark.
Incumbent Chief Ron Michel and challenger Charles Whitecap had been scheduled to deliver their campaign speeches.
However those have been delayed until Tuesday morning with balloting set to happen at 11 a.m.
A winner will be declared sometime after that.
Meantime a financial update of the PAGC showed its debt-level is growing.
Chief Donald Sayeze of Black Lake says he feels action is desperately needed to halt the slide while Marcel Head of Shoal Lake says the level is the worst it’s ever been.
Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation chief Darrell McCallum says the red ink isn’t entirely the fault of the grand council however.
McCallum says Indian Affairs hasn’t increased any treaty-obligated dollars to the PAGC in 17 years.
Some deserving youth took home awards yesterday at the assembly.
6 kids from bands throughout the PAGC were recognized for their outstanding schoolwork with Bobby Bird Memorial Scholarship Awards.
Precious Bird was the winner of the Grade 8 scholarship award for her 91 percent average.
She took time out to acknowledge her grandfather, the late Senator Allen Bird, whose picture was hanging right above the podium.
Other award winners included Katie Roberts of Montreal Lake, Dantin Constant and Shaquille Sanderson of the James Smith Reserve, Fond du Lac’s Logan Martin-Arcand and Shane Redman of Montreal Lake.