Keewatin Tribal Council member First Nations chose a grand chief for the first time in several years Sept. 1, voting for Walter Wastesicoot of York Factory First Nation to be the organizations’s elected representative.
Wastesicoot earned the most votes from the chiefs and councillors of the 11 member First Nations who were eligible to cast ballots, finishing ahead of Duke Beardy and Joe Hyslop.
The new leader took part in a pipe ceremony outside the Royal Canadian Legion in Thompson after the results were announced, then took the oath of office on the second day of KTC’s special chiefs assembly.
In his speech to the assembled chiefs and councillors prior to votes being cast, Wastesicoot touched on issues that affect many of their 11 First Nations, including the need for all-weather roads and said his intention was to help them achieve long-term goals that will alleviate the everyday issues they face as their communities’ leaders.
“I’m talking about the vision, those things we can do today to begin addressing the issues that you face day-to-day,” said Wastesicoot, stressing his ability and willingness to work with anyone, including those who may not agree with him.
Having a grand chief who is in regular communication with each of the First Nations and knows their challenges and goals will be a benefit when dealing with governments, Wastesicoot said.
“Over the last little while the biggest thing I’ve heard is leadership has to have a voice, somebody who can speak or articulate desires and aspirations,” he said.
KTC CEO George Neepin said it was about a year ago that chiefs expressed a wish for KTC to be more prominent and that the new grand chief’s ability to help them achieve their goals would depend on unity and communication.
“We’ve got to help one another,” Neepin said.
The chiefs in attendance took turns congratulating Wastesicoot on his new role and expressing their views on how he can support them
“I have full confidence in his ability to lead,” said Chief Evan Yassie of Sayisi Dene First Nation, while Chief Darryl Wastesicoot of York Factory First Nation said the new grand chief can get results and is willing to kick down a few doors if he has to.
Issues affecting Northern Manitoba First Nations were also brought up.
“We’re all having problems in terms of the communities, in terms of alcohol and drugs and it has impacted all of our institutions,” said Tataskweyak Cree Nation Chief Doreen Spence. “I really feel that we have to push for our mental health services. We need infrastructure, we need programming.”
Chief Simon Denechezhe of Northlands Denesuline First Nation said dealing with crime related to the sale and use of drugs is made more difficult by limited resources.
“We lack police protection,” he said. “Our safety officers are not well-equipped and they don’t have the resources. There’s so many issues.”
