2020 Ermineskin Nation Chief Election Special Edition Newsletter Friday, August 7, 2020

Reasons to Vote in the Upcoming Election If you think you are too small to make a difference, try to sleep in 1. Your Vote is Your Voice. Be Heard! a closed room with a mosquito - African Proverb 2. People we elect make huge decisions that shape our lives daily. Always vote for principle, 3. People in much of the world envy our ability to though you may vote alone, you may cherish the sweet- vote freely. est reflection that your vote 4. Vote the change you want to see in the world! is never lost - John Quincy Ad- 5. Change will not take place without political ams If you don’t vote, you participation. lose the right to com- 6. Every Election is determined by the people plain - George Carlin who show up. Bad officials are elected 7. Voting allows you to express your feelings and by good citizens who opinions about current leaders don’t vote- George Nathan Laurelle White Good afternoon everyone, it is a pleasure to you have to ask for permission when they be here and address everyone and your con- were put here on the reserve, they weren’t al- cerns. First of all I want to thank some of the lowed to leave. You had to ask for permission. elders I have spoken to regarding running and When we were put here, you could not sell their encouragement to me. First one is Willie your cattle, you could not sell anything with- littlechild when I went to speak to him, he out permission, you could not hire a lawyer to liked what I have to say and he encouraged defend you, and we had men from this com- me to continue going forth. The other two are munity go forth defying those rules, they sold my nominator and my seconder, prominent a cow they went left the reserve and they Elders from the community. I gave them a went and hired a lawyer and they went to the choice, I gave them protocol and I gave them UN and took our concerns over there. And a choice, I didn't say you have to agree with one of those people was was what I'm saying, you don't have to nominate gone and sat with many countries to get our or second my nomination. and that's one of rights recognized and into fruition a few years the things that I really respect is somebody's ago. Now our responsibility here is to learn choice. I will ask you, but it's always your those tools and use those tools. Those are choice to say yes or no, I will never force any- powerful tools; we must go on what others one. So with that, I am not going to say vote have built. We can't keep going backwards for me, it's your choice, and I thank you if you our being stagnant, we need to build on what do vote for me and I thank you if you don’t has already been built for us what are the and I respect your choice as to why you don't. things that I want to do is bring jobs back. So the 2 prominent elders who I went to There were jobs that were here and people speak to, I told them you don't have to say yes had jobs, they provided for their families and to my protocol but at least hear me out. And all of a sudden they were shut down. And you by time I was finished they both agreed know what kind of trauma that brings to a wholeheartedly that I would go forth with my family when they cannot provide for their ideas of how to help our community and family. Nothing was replaced, and that’s when those two are Marvin littlechild and Mary hopelessness starts to come in. I want to bring Wildcat. So thank you to those three elders. that back. Young people and Elders shouldn't One of the things I spoke to Willie was that be just waiting for death to come and get we need to bring back hope to our communi- them. They should have a purpose for their ty. Our community is missing that one piece living, for their life, and I want to bring that of hope for the people. I told him about how back. Our former leaders had it all right, had Columbus when he first came to this country those things in place. I want to bring them he said how majestic the people were, and back. Housing, yes we need more housing, how he didn't call us Indians he called us in- but what about the houses that are already deos, meaning people of God. So we were built? Ermineskin Band had become a slum close to our God and we continue to be close landlord, where our buildings and our homes to our god. So in him naming us that he got it are falling apart. Where people are living with right on. Some of the things that have been mice and insects, and the solution for the el- done by our people when they were put your ders is to put plastic on the windows at winter on the reserve they weren't allowed to leave time. If you know there is a problem, you don’t put a band aid on it, you cure it, you going to bring you along with us and teach deal with it, and you fix it. No more band you how to be a man, how to be a real man. aids. I refuse to have any more band aids. We One that stands by their women, one that need real solutions. The other one is what is stands by their children, one that fights for called child services. I don't like the term be- them, the same way a woman fights for her cause the term sounds like it's the child's child. She will stand against a bear if she sees problem; it's a child's fault, when in reality it's her child in danger. She will either kill that the parents who need help. Parents who need bear or make that bear her brother. Pick it’s support. I know as a single mom a simple act your choice. We can’t live like this anymore; I of getting sleep at night helps, if we can sup- refuse to see us live like this anymore. I want port families with parental teachings to help to bring that back. We used to live off the them know what to do, in frustration I can land. We used to have gardens, we lived with imagine they say, “I give up, I move on, some- the berries. I want to see the gardens in body else take care of them” When we should homes. For people who know how to do it. be taking care of the parents. We talk about We have resources that have been left on the youth programs all of the time, youth pro- side. Who have been pretty much thrown to grams are great I'm not saying anything the curb. We need to bring those people back against youth programs. They are great for that have that wisdom. We need to have kids to learn social socialization and to bring fruits and berries growing so that the kids up there social prowess, but they still have to aren’t hungry so they could reach up and just go home. That home needs healing. That eat. We need our medicines in our backyards. home needs well-being. That’s what I’m Where we can pick them and use them. In- bringing to the table. And some of you that stead of seeing people going to the ditches have known me before I worked at HRD. I and finding them. That’s not how you treat don't like to think within the box, I think out- sacred medicines. We take care of them, we side the box, but there is more than one re- bring them home. This COVID has shown me source that I will access it, I will go into that a lot. If we give a man the power to feed us, and make a partnership. When I worked at we give him the power to starve us. We HRD we had a carpenter program instead of should never give our power away. We are just building sheds or dog houses, I went to supposed to housing and I told them I’ll supply the labor be thriving, and you supply the materials and let’s fix not surviving. some homes. That year we fixed 5 homes, 5 These are the families got a home. And that was just one 3 main topics year, it didn't take me three or four, when I that I want to say I want to do something I do it, because go for. They I'm that kind of a person that cannot sit down are close to and wait for somebody else to do it. I sat my heart as down too long right now waiting for the men you can tell. to do it and I said that's enough, I'm getting With that, up I'm doing this and pushing forward. This is thank you for not a man against woman issue this is about listening, us woman saying “We are tired Men, we are thank you for tired of doing this by ourselves. We need your this oppor- help.” So we get up one more time, but we are tunity. Randy Ermineskin Good afternoon everybody. I am happy to be and their families when things quiet down. I here today to talk about leadership and ask- try to be fluent in our language as much as I ing for support from members from our com- can, but it’s hard because I work in the public munity to find a way forward that we can school system and I work at the universities. help one another grow and help one another But what is so encouraging though this past heal, but at the same time just paving the way three years since I left leadership, I found for our younger generation so they could look work right away within the next day at the forward to real good future where they will University of and I think that is one not have to struggle. We all know with our advantage that I have is that I have a back- history, our people have really struggled to ground in education that I shouldn’t have to maintain their existence and way of life here worry about at that time, when you don’t on the four nations and in particular Ermine- have anything to fall back on, for many it’s a skin, as we look for opportunities to really hard thing. I redeveloped a curriculum at the create a better life for our young people. I U of A in English and I was just concerned have always thought that way and was taught about the type of histories that they were that way. I have always looked for opportuni- teaching. So I talked to a few of the col- ties to really help us. I served one term 2014- leagues and I said lets rewrite this course de- 2017 as your Chief and really enjoyed it. I had scription to reflect our heritage. A lot of these a good experience. When I look back, no- courses that I have taught these past few body was mean to me, nobody said things years have been on residential schools, the that were hurtful and I tried to do the same. history of pre-contact and how we have man- As I heard the concerns as we were growing aged and governed ourselves and looking for every day and year as more members, we have ways to really educate our youth and to be to look forward and think of ways to prepare; proud. The one thing that really jumps out at our education system, our workplace and at me is that the young people that I have the same time our governance and looking taught, quite a few of them were from after our elders. Especially at this time with saying “I want to better myself. I COVID and the vulnerable and the people come from a troubled background/home and that are living on the streets of or dysfunction and I want to get out of it.” We everywhere in major centers as well. We have have to engage our youth in the planning and to find a way to bring them home. And one how important it is for them. Even our El- way is probably, just from my own experience ders, if we can make one building where we visiting in the hospitals last little while, when can bring our elders home. Plan together to this crisis ends what is it going to look like. that they can go and talk to them and visit Some of our members that have passed on with them and share stories. That’s what I and its going to be different for our people was doing these last few years at the hospi- tals. The one that really jumps out at me is, but we need to connect the people outside Marie Evert and she would just cry every day the core area. This is one of the most im- and say she missed home. What I want to portant things. Good governance is another emphasize here is that we have to bring our important thing. We need to involve our community members together; we need to youth. And ensure that there’s a transparent be more proactive on planning. This COVID accountable government that meets the 19 caught everybody by surprise and I think needs of the growing ECN Community and we need to plan for more events such as this. continue to protect our treaty rights. I leave So we are better more prepared to address is- you with that. It is so important for us to plan sues and how our emergency management strategically. Cree thought; the definition of system is set up, but also protecting one an- meticulous thought. If we are going to move other so that we don’t lose anymore mem- forward together we all have to agree. We are bers. It is critical to have input from our living in critical times where time is of the youth and along with our elders to guide essence for many of our people and many of them along and making sure that when they our elders. They want to say something, they have a concern that they are being heard and want to speak and there are a lot of people somewhere along the line this will be incor- who are quiet and we need to engage them porated into our plan as we look for strategic because I’m sure once they have the confi- directions and priorities. I believe in ac- dence and see that their views are important countability and it’s in the best interest of Er- and valued I think we can do so so many mineskin. So that we can lay the groundwork things. Thank you for allowing me to share for future members and future leaders. A this with you and I’m looking forward to couple of ideas I want to emphasize here is working with you. I want to help our youth that examples for strategic priorities would that are coming up as leaders. They want to be; culture language to incorporate the lan- lead now and how do we encourage that, how guage and maintaining healthy connections do we teach to each other, traditional laws and self- them, how do government and expand our inherent rights, we foster that. I economic development. One thing with this think I would be pandemic, there is going to be a food short- able to help that age in the future and why don’t we get back way and I have into cattle and figure out a way that we can learned in the help and have our members grow their own last little while gardens and somehow educate them because how to pass off if and when something happens we are more stuff to individ- prepared. But also having a water plan, we uals. Thank you need to have a water plan where we can pipe for this oppor- water from rivers. The core area is connected tunity. Sam Minde Good afternoon everybody; online view- George Minde also served some time in ers. What a world we live in, technology leadership. Of course, Sam Minde was one connecting us right now so we don't actu- of our Chiefs. And on the Ermineskin and ally have to be in a setting where I know Smallboy side of my family, you know we are maybe I don't mind sitting uncom- Robert Smallboy, my nohkoms brother, fortably. What I'm going to do is I'm going and my nosoms dad Baptiste Ermineskin to share a video of your on my friends list and his dad Panee Ermineskin was one of right now I'm going to share it right now our chiefs when we all started off. Why I and have some fun with it take a look you am sharing that, was when I was growing know this election is the one thing I know up, my mom, my dad would share a little about Nehiyawahk is the homes I have bit about lineage, my family here, who I visited and even this morning chatting was and where I come from so one day I with Josh; humor is healing. And I want to could continue in that same legacy. I was have a little fun with the video that I'm encouraged that one day I could also be sharing, so I'm going to go over my com- Chief, and hearing that as a young man I puter and post it. Take a look. Hopefully held onto that. Something that was part of that is public for everybody to view. Com- my core being, and you know why I say ment, like, share and let's have some fun that is, is because creating a legacy or us during this election. So kind of share a bit in ermineskin or maybe your own family. about myself, first of my all my name is Just speaking to your little ones and to en- Sam Minde, my parents are Emily Minde, courage them on what they can do. Words May Ermineskin and my dad Herman are powerful. We take those words and put Minde. On my mom's side her mom was them into action we can create change. Jenny Ermineskin-Smallboy and her dad And instilling that will to create change is was Baptiste Ermineskin. His dad was from leaders, from mothers and fathers. I Panee Ermineskin. On my dad’s side, Cec- can only share with you right now in the il Minde-Gladue nohkom, and my mosom short time that I have is who I am, is a was “Cowboy” George Minde. Sam Minde man of action. I have been a part of some chapan, and his wife Mary Minde. So really cool changes here in Ermineskin. that’s where I am from. I’m really proud to Even when I started going back to school, share that my mom was on council back transforming my own life, the reasons why in her time, back when she was alive. My I did that was because I really wanted to dad also served a term on council. Nosom come back and help the nation. Doing that in the roles that I’ve had as CEO of a Sustained changes that are going to im- corporation and the role that I had as a pact the next generation. When I talk to councillor for . people out there, they want to know about When I was in council, I was the Econom- their little ones and how are we going to ic Development portfolio and I spear- help them and what’s that going to be headed the creation of Neyaskweyahk like. I’m right with you; I want to see that Group of Companies. What my biggest sustained change, sustained improve- challenge there was, what everybody’s ments that will impact the next genera- challenge is not only creating change, we tion. You guys all know me and I think want change, we want to see improve- that you know that we can do this and ments but it’s creating sustained change. build something, change something. You Building foundation in the swings of elec- know those ideas that we’ve ever created tion cycles or pressures from our people that ever been moved on has been from that the organization or initiative doesn’t good people who have a heart, who want get stopped or pushed down like a house to see good in you. I think my gifting is of cards. I believe that as a leader in the taking those ideas, they don’t come from roles that I’ve had, I’ve been able to create me, they come from our people, taking sustained change. Sustainable change like those ideas and making them happy. the Neyaskweyahk Group of Companies. That’s how I would like to share my lead- We have had some challenges in the con- ership, continue doing what I have always versations that we’ve had, and sometimes done, it’s who I am. It’s going to take us it was a little bit iffy it was going to hap- into the next generation. We can fight for pen. But the decisions and the influence our Treaty rights, and do it together. that we were able to partner with as a team was to make the decision to create the Neyaskweyahk Group of Companies. I think it’s one of our best moves and it’s been seven years and we the develop- ments that we’ve done. Start-ups, acquisi- tions, positions, partnerships and lots of creating jobs, rebuilding infrastructure. Remember that gas bar and what it used to look like before. The Solar park that we are working on, that we built. These are sustained changes that I’m talking about. Brian Lee Tansi Kakiyaw, Kiseyniw Maskwa nitsikason, Good grow food for ourselves and possibly other markets. Day, My Cree Name is Oldman Bear, but the name This would create employment for up to 3 seasons pos- that was given to me by The government of Canada is sibly 4.I Would like to stop the leasing of our lands to Brian Allan Lee. I greet you all in the Creators Name. I non-citizen farmers. The start up of our own standard am a Treaty Advocate an I will continue to fight for method of farming operation with our own citizens in our Treaties and keep reminding the Government of working our own lands. Grow crops that will sustain the promises made when Treaty Six was concluded. our people. The process of farming, acquisition of My goals if elected as the Chief of Ermineskin Cree equipment and the skills to run them can happen with Nation is to inspire the Citizens to awaken themselves the right training, seed, fertilizer and other needs are to the potential of their own abilities, to compete on an readily available if you know where to look. Work equal footing with the colonizer. It is not going to be with our Employment Centre to bring in more Agricul- an overnight process, it will take a lot of planning, a lot tural Programs, that teach different ways of growing of input from all age groups to create a path that Er- food using natural processes and learning new ways of mineskin citizens can follow for their prosperity. I growing such as Hydroponics and Aquaponics, be- guess that one of the important process I would like to cause our environment is changing and it is something initiate with the help of a group of citizens and staff is that we all face. The price of produce is going to go up to come up with a realistic plan of the Neyaskweyahk because of the droughts in the southern United States. Trust dividends that we receive on a quarterly basis. I Preparation for the new normal also includes how we would like to see a Strategic Plan for that Trust. It is use our land to meet our needs. We as a community good that past leadership had the initiative to set it up have to adapt to the changes of our new climate other- for our future. Drafting a plan that will use a small per- wise we will remain dependant on other people who centage to help youth in sports and educational tuitions have the vision to prepare and adapt. Learning to pro- that aren’t covered by EETF or Post Secondary Fund- cess and store our own foods has to become a priority ing along with increasing our land base. I’m not asking perhaps a small flour mill, slaughterhouse. Agricultural to change how it’s working, I want to see better plan- school and Animal Husbandry to learn about the use of ning on how it is put into programs and services that environmental healthy practices instead of the heavy will better serve the needs of our growing population. use of chemicals which harms our land. Use the Corpo- Real estate both urban and rural is going to be a part of rate Lands for the raising of Livestock, such as cattle, the strategic plan. Buying of real estate every year to bison, and also poultry. Some of these ideas will have increase our land base for agriculture and residential to have a thorough review to insure the tribe has every- use for our Citizens. Livestock purchases? The possi- thing set up properly so we don’t setup ourselves for bilities are endless and the need to diversify our inter- failure. Planning ***** ests both off and on our Traditional Lands. CMHC The housing problem. Loan payments? Farm Equipment Leases..... Our Has to be looked at as a business to house our citizens. young athletes that reach an elite level have met a For those that have to move off reserve for employ- stumbling block when it comes to getting financing to ment and housing needs, provide some assistance to get them to the next level. A Scholarship or bursary for help them establish a good credit rating so that they them, so that one day soon we can see an Ermineskin may qualify for a Mortgage. If they can come up with citizen playing in a Pro League. Many of them want to enough for a down payment on a house, provide a fi- pursue other forms of education that is not covered by nancial incentive so they can purchase a new home for our present system. Not everyone wants to go to col- themselves. Build apartments in urban areas to house lege, or trade school, they have other dreams and goals our people. On the Reserve, I would like to see our for their future. One of my Nephews wanted to become own people build our own houses instead of purchas- a helicopter pilot and he had no program to cover the ing RTM’s. We have to stop supporting other commu- tuition for his request. Just another Dream that was not nities by purchasing these home. How much employ- fulfilled. Let’s think outside the box, because our chil- ment could we have created by training and building dren deserve the best we can provide for them. To cre- our own homes. Take the Idea of the Elders Village ate an environment on Ermineskin Lands that will en- and go on a larger scale of training and employment. sure our citizens can sustain themselves off the land in The students of Ermineskin School and Samson School which we live. Revamp the Greenhouse project to built the tiny Elders homes, why can’t our men and people bring to the pow-wow. Also to make walking women be taught do the same thing? Our people are trails for all the people who have turned to a healthier not invalids that they have to have everything handed lifestyle, make this Park people friendly, someplace to them. We can train them to build those nice houses Where our citizens can have social gatherings with themselves. Re-open the Trade Centre to train another Family and Friends. The building of a Treatment Cen- Generation of Electricians, plumbers, carpenters, sheet tre for Drug and Alcohol and this crisis we are facing metal and other trades that we utilize for our housing today. People don‘t know how to ask for help that they needs. The ones we have now are aging out and there need. Getting the Social programs together on support- is a need for tradesman and women. We spend a great ing the citizens who need it most, if it’s an addiction or deal of the housing budget for outside contractors. crisis management. Making sure that there is a follow- Train our own people to do this, a quality control sys- up so they won’t return to their addictions. tem for inspection’s that makes the inspector and con- The NRTA, tractor accountable for their work. Build our own houses instead of supporting other people’s businesses The Natural Resources Transfer Act is something that The utilization of our Elders as an advisory body in has been a controversial issue for Treaty Nations in the our political affairs, It is written in our Constitution 3 Prairie Provinces. I would like to see our Nation get and it has been ignored. a Share of the natural resources such as timber rights. The tribes in have access to get timber out of Put the Elders In the School house, to help teach our Banff National Park. Our ancestors used to use that language and our culture. Language retention advisors. area too and we should be given the same rights that Make the Elders feel that they are needed, not just they get. Work to get access to those timber leases for someone to give an invocation or a pipe ceremony at our own use and benefit. Make lumber for our own the beginning of a meeting. The Youth programming homes. in Recreation to keep them away from Drugs and alco- holism. Have a weekend camp to teach a new skill Protection of our Treaty Right to hunt, fish and gather each week. Introduce Land Based Learning. Archery, under our own laws. Create a group of Treaty First Na- Canoeing, Snowshoeing , Tipi making, life skills from tions who would be interested in developing a conser- vation law. Support the Maskwacis Cree Efforts to the land, etc. A number of years ago, we had set aside have a Hospital built here in Maskwacis. A medical some funds to have a Robotics Class in the High School, but there was no interest from the teachers to facility that will have both Modern and Traditional teach it. That should be brought back and further ex- medicine recognized equally. The handicapped people panded to develop the mind of our children and you who fall through the system, many of them are home- will awaken their potential. Use Gov’t Funding such a less and need proper attention to help them. Start look- Jordon’s Principle to fund these activities. Hire some- ing at building an Elders home, so that we can keep one or a group of citizens to apply for Grants and pay them at home instead of at our neighbouring communi- ty. And Last but not least, I would like to cut down on them a percentage of money the funds they acquire. This will insure the employees perform otherwise there the council travel and meetings off the Reserve. It is is no pay cheque for them. Encourage the yard beauti- getting out of hand and the funding could be used in fication in the Core Area as well as the country homes social programs to Cut Down On Noxious weeds. Get our citizens to and recreational start caring for their home and community they live in. activities for our There has been talk about turning our Bear Park arbor youth. This is what I am pro- into a 3 season facility by putting a roof and walls on posing to do with it. Get our people to design and construct an aluminum tube frame with a membrane cover. There are young the help of the people in our midst who have great ideas and are very Citizenship, creative. Bring them together with the idea of covering Adults, Youth the Bear Park Arbor and see what they can come up and our Elders. with. During the Pow-wows at Bear Park, there are And I can only people always wanting to take a shower after an after- accomplish this if I am elected as noon performance. Let’s upgrade the park with shower and bathroom facilities. Plan the camping area with Chief of the Er- electrical service and water for the RV’s that many mineskin Cree Nation. Craig Makinaw I would like to first thank all our staff that that’s a project that’s just starting right have been working during this time, I now, through consultation we are hoping know it’s been a struggle and a lot of criti- to get more positions for our members cism they face, and I would like to and there’s discussion with the govern- acknowledge them for all their work. And ment. That’s coming up. We will provide also to the staff that are setting up todays an announcement within the next month candidates forum. I’d just like to or two. Plus we have passed some bylaws acknowledge our elders, I remember when that have been the last few months and I first started as a council, in my first term still needs to be more work done on those. we always had 2 elders in our meetings. The Child Welfare Law, Land Law, Mem- That is something that I’m always promot- bership Law and Housing Law needs to be ing, to have 2 elders at our meetings, one worked on in the next little while. Then male and one female whenever we meet. finally our big one that needs to be That’s one thing I want to get back to be- worked on is the Constitution to upgrade cause we in some ways we’re doing good in all areas, because right now we are now, but we still need the advice of our el- missing 2 parts that needs to be revised ders at a lot of these projects we’re in right and start over again. We need to meet now. We are having meetings with indus- with our youth and our elders to discuss try and other business that need the el- those. After the election we have to up- ders advice and you know there’s a lot of grade everything, we need to hear the potential for new projects that are hap- voice and opinions of our people in which pening now that we hopefully will be get- areas that need to be improved. We need ting announcements within the next few to listen then make necessary changes months that will better our position as a that are required. Those are some of the band, because right now we rely on the items coming within the next 3 years, plus trust. I know the trust is doing good it there are other industry projects and pro- kind of went down this COVID started, it posals that we’re looking at right now. We went down to 300 million, now its back up are waiting to get some answers within the to 350. So that’s good on that part. So now next few months see where we are going, as the trust gets bigger and I see it where as I get more calls from industry and busi- when we get to 500 million, we will be ness players, I refer them back to the de- able to provide more programs, which will partments so they can do the necessary be within the next few years. Some of the work so that it comes back to council and things that we have done the last 3 years; from there we will bring it to the people. 35 new houses, work with NGCI with their Once we get more information and an- projects and an announcement shortly on swers we will send the information to the the Red Deer water line to provide water members so they are aware. The NEST de- for our ermineskin band and members. So partment has a lot of potential to train our youth and others in industry. Oil and gas It was hard on everyone. Within the next has some potential projects coming up. 2 years we are going to look at getting Whether it’s TMX or other pipelines that more houses. We are over 400 houses be- are coming up and we need to get our hind. Especially renovations, that’s big youth and our businesses prepared so one and include our elders in those reno- when the time comes they will be ready. I vations,. Some of the homes are 50 years see some work potential there. The last old that need to be upgraded. Housing project would be our recla- has a big project to keep up with all these mation project that is a project that will requests. They have been having a tough go on for 3 to 4 years. We have some of our time because they are short of dollars. contractors working there already. As we With that I would just like to thank the move forwards more in Pigeon Lake, there committee for setting up todays candi- will be more opportunities for work. Once dates forum and wish everyone good luck the elections are done we will get back to in the next few days. I would like to thank the table then we’ll have some more up- everyone for listening to me. dates and possible meeting dates for the members in Pigeon Lake. Things are hap- pening right now; there are a lot of areas where we are working at and there’s po- tential to do more and that’s where I see us right now. With the help of our staff, we will get a lot of things done and con- tinue our meetings with our members in Pigeon Lake, Smallboy camp and meet with our members in and Red Deer. We haven’t kept in contact with them and we should. We need to meet with them so they are aware what’s going on. During this COVID pandemic I have been getting a lot of calls of our off reserve members not getting assistance. There are departments that can help but they need to better coordinate so they can get the help that they need, because I don’t know how long this COVID is going to last. They say the second wave is coming in September, if that is the case then we have to be prepared, we have to get ready for that. I think we will be better prepared for that. The first one was a learning curve. As things went along they improved things. Rick Wolfe Miyo Kisikaw! My name is Rick Wolfe, I you and that they are recognized as family. am running for the Ermineskin Chief. The We need to treat them as equals. All peo- reasons why is because I believe our tribal ple lives matter. Our children no matter system is failing our people. The needs, what walks life of they are, no matter the well being, the rights and freedoms where they reside, they are still Ermine- that are owed to us not only by the govern- skin Tribe members they are still treaty ments but by the Ermineskin Tribe too. members, they still have inherent rights in We look at what’s going on within the Er- this land they call Alberta. I don’t recog- mineskin Tribe itself, the poverty, the lack nize Alberta; I am against ermineskin and of housing, employment, children’s ser- the water agreement. I’ll tell you that right vices, and all the programs that are associ- now, the reason why I say this is where ated with the rights that we have as a peo- have we had these meetings for our peo- ple. Right now it’s so diminished. Together ple? And the due diligence of this tribal we as a people have to come together. You government agreed with what it is we’re know being a Chief without the people doing and signing away off our water and the peoples mandate, you’re not a rights. The jurisdiction of our lands, our Chief. And I believe within myself that our tribal government has no reason to be do- people are the most important thing in ing this, we have water here. There should our lives, because they are our lives, our have been a water feasibility study that families, and without them how do we people should have been involved in this make these decisions that are being made. process. You know all these things that are It’s so wrong. How do we protect the fu- going on in Ermineskin; I don’t agree I ture of our people if we’re not talking to don’t believe their right because they are our people, if we do not know our people? not in the right of our people. They are The sacredness of that is gone and that’s not in the right of our treaty rights. They what we need to bring back. We need to are not in the right of our future. This is bring back those values. Sahkitowin, what I believe; you tell me there are no Wahkohtowin, you know all these things jobs. Let me tell you something, 2 years that are missing now. We need to bring ago there was a road project and I think them back. And the only way you can be a you all know 3 bands were working all chief here is have the people walking with around us; I took the liberty of getting Er- mineskin an engineer that I hired myself there be travelling outside this reserve, and he met them in believe or when there are this many issues that need not, Calgary. In 15 minutes he was told to be dealt with. I wouldn’t leave this re- “No we have the best roads in the four na- serve until the people are satisfied that I tions.” Look at our roads now. That was a 6 have done my job. How do you become a million dollar project; there are 75 jobs Chief? No because of this vote. You be- that just went away for 2 years. There are come a Chief because of the respect that no excuses for no employment. We have a the people give you, in regards to the farm division out here that is controlled efforts that you’ve competed for them. by white guys. You tell me why, when we That’s how I see this. This isn’t going to be have nothing but capable young men and an easy job, I don see it as an easy job, but women who are able to do that job. You I do believe that with the people with the tell me why we are pushing our high tribal government we are going to move school students off the reserve because forward exactly the way I’m saying. I cre- there are no jobs. Really? No I’m not con- ated a 15 page document, there are 300 vinced. I believe that as chief you have the documents like this, I’ll be dropping them ultimate responsibility and you should be off at all the houses and trying to discuss accountable for what’s going on here. And as much as I can with each and every fam- that’s the way this tribal system need to ily here in ermineskin because I believe be, without the people we have no leader- that is where our strength is. Our strength ship and that’s what’s been going on here is with the leadership with the people. a long time. Think about that. Every man, Not without. Ekosi. women and child deserves the right to prosper on our land and our land is not just this reserve it’s Alberta. And we have to start recognizing these things. We have to fight for the right. We can’t keep on bowing and compromising to the outside society. We are supposed to be a distinct beautiful people. Let’s show that we are. That’s our direction, that’s as far I’m con- cerned, that’s it’s the people that are our main concern. Nothing else. Why should Dennis Whitebear (Addressed audience in Cree see video lives. Those are some of the struggles we are hav- online at www.youtube.com or on the ing now. And to take care of our elders and our ECN Facebook Page) people as a whole. With Addictions, we need to I would like to greet all you people here first of find a way to work with each department that we all, shake hands with you in Creators name and have here and we have services that can be uti- thank the Creator for another beautiful day given lized and to push them forward to make them go us life. I have a lot of things written down here a little more in depth with help our people and and I know we have a lot of issues in our nation. listening to our people. Providing more services I’m just going to talk about a few as much as I and workshops to add sense of healing. Also our can, the best that I can. Moving forward in run- infrastructure, our roads, our houses, our Town- ning as this position as chief. I know for myself site. Our Townsite can be paved. And I know we we go through a lot of these, and we’ve all seen can find the dollars through grants and making the troubles and the hard times we have been it work where we can have these things. We having and towards social issues and what not. drive on our roads down the main core area and I’d like to start off with is, as I’ve started with my we see how rough our roads are. But not only political career, I don’t make promises I can’t there but on our country roads as well. We need keep as a leader. I do promise to do the best that to train our people how to fix these roads and I can in the best way that I can. To be a voice in bring our ditches and our waters back. So that all the concerns and I have done that a lot for we can contain our floods and all the stuff that people in our nation that can’t speak for them- we have experienced through this spring. A lot of selves or that are not listened to. So I push that it is disaster planning, I have spoken on that for extra for them to be heard, and I help them in a few years before all this COVID came. I knew that way. We’ve seen a lot of our businesses and something was coming and I knew we had to be a lot of the work that’s been done and I’m sure prepared. Our elders they talk about that, we all the previous speakers have spoken on business heard that the future is going to be harder and I and politically wise, but for myself I see the peo- think this is one of the things that we’re seeing ple. It’s the people here in our nation, not only or that we need to realize that we need to have nation but our off reserve people as far as Small- something in place that’s going to protect our boy Camp, Mountain Cree, Buck Lake, Ma me o people and provide our people with the essen- and our off reserve people who are in the cities tials that we need. Going to the treaty talks and and town. For our nation members here with the knowledge and stuff like that, I’m not a fluent issues that we have, I want to work on nation Cree speaker but I speak Cree. I don’t call myself here and I know I mentioned that. I have been one because I’ve got lots to learn yet. But to vocal with that in our council that we need to do bring back our culture and our cultural ways, our work in our nation to help provide for our nation identity, I think those are one of the reasons why for a better future. From our younger generation our people are lost. We need to find out who we to the older generation. We can’t forget our fu- are, what are treaties are and what we’re entitled ture leaders as spoken about all the time and to and to bring those to the government and to how we need to encourage them to live healthy keep fighting those and to keep making sure. We have people out there, we have Willie, we have directors and that you know if they have the Danika, and we have our elders that are experi- similar job as the Chief and Council. They have a enced in that way. Corporate housing towards responsibility to provide for you people within Ma-Me-O, Buck Lake, Smallboy Camp, Moun- all these departments that are out there and as- tain Cree camp, and even in our nation I have sistance that needs to be provided to nation seen the houses. We need to add more dollars to members, none of this pick and choose who our housing department; we also need our hous- you're going to help and who they want to help. es to be fixed properly. For me, I’m not afraid to That's not for me I've seen that a lot. Those are talk to the people and to put a huge amount of one of the issues that I will talk straight forward money towards homes. I’ve seen elders homes, on. I don’t agree on that. I'll speak for every one and people’s homes, it’s not safe for them to be of you. I’ve grown in the poverty side of it and living in these homes with children in there and then we can fix that too, but again it takes the overcrowding. I know housing is a tough issue. whole nation to do that right from Chief and Like I said, I’m not promising anything, but what Council, from Elders to the youth. I myself have I’m promising is take that forward and move for- lived in poverty. We can all overcome that to- wards and put more dollars towards that. We gether and I've had help along the way and it need to set these priorities as council to what was there that kind of encouragements that we our nation needs. This epidemic that we are hav- need. the knowledge that we gain from our life ing and all the issues that we’re having towards experiences is what’s going to move us forward addictions and gang violence and whatnot. As a and if elected into this position, it will give me people we need to heal together, it can’t just be more authority to push these directives forward, the Chief and Council, it has to be the all the because as a council member you don't have that people as a whole, young and old, we need to much authority to give that direction, but I feel come together. That has always been my goal is as that if elected as Chief here I can push a lot of to bring everybody together. Things are not these things forward and make them on the hard, things are achievable, and those are the agenda to help better our nation. things that we as a native people were given that gift of strength to help one another and to help each other and to love each other and to share the things that in life that were given to us by the Creator and then utilizing our elders. Our elders have a lot of knowledge that we need and then seeking them and finding that. In our jobs as our positions, for me if elected into this posi- tion I will work together with the council as a whole for our nation to have priorities set and to listen to one another’s ideas and see how we’re going to move forward for the betterment of our people. Our nation needs to work towards heal- ing for everything that I talked about earlier. Al- so, I always tell the employees, managers, and Created by ECN I.T. and Communications Research Assistant Janine Wildcat