The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations’ annual fall legislative assembly may be in the books, but acting chief Morley Watson says several messages were heard loud and clear.
A number of chiefs at the assembly said they were concerned about the level of spending on certain boards.
Watson says that feedback will be taken to heart.
According to Watson, “. . . we have to get our house in order . . . we have to be better in how our boards operate — fairness throughout”.
Meanwhile, a former principal from the Southend reserve has been elected Fourth Vice-Chief of the organization.
Simon Bird of the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation defeated two fellow challengers.
Bird says he has experience in leadership positions — noting he was in charge of a school with 415 children and 45 staff.
Bird says unity is a key requirement to successful governments, and finger-pointing leads nowhere.
Meanwhile, Bobby Cameron from Witchekan Lake defeated four others to win the office of the Second Vice-Chief.
He was overwhelmed when he gave his acceptance speech, recalling the nights he slept in his truck as he travelled the province making new friends and speaking with elders.
Cameron says he, Bird, Watson and Dutch Lerat will make a good team that will work to revitalize the FSIN.