Oswald Sawh, a long-time Northerner and resident of Thompson for over 30 years, has announced his candidacy for the City Counseling replacement of councillor Earl Colbourne, who stepped down from his position on April 29. Sawh, who previously served on the City Council from 2002 to 2010, is gearing up for the upcoming 2024 Municipal By-election scheduled to take place on September 10.
Having withdrawn from politics in 2010 to focus on his family, Sawh is now ready to re-enter the political arena. He is an active community member and volunteer, with involvement in various areas including community development, animal welfare, municipal governance, and more. Notably, Sawh has received several awards for his outstanding career achievements and volunteer service, including the Pinnacle Award through the Certified General Accountants of Manitoba and the Recipient of Canada’s Volunteer Award.
In addition to his extensive community involvement, Sawh brings a wealth of educational credentials, including being a Certified Professional Accountant and holding a Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Commerce Degree along with a Economic Developers Association of Manitoba and Community Edge Certificate. He holds the Manitoba Municipal Administrators Certificate, the Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers and the Technician Aboriginal Economic Developer Certificate.
Sawh has also served on various boards and has had a long-standing commitment to voluntarism, stating that "voluntarism is the backbone of a healthy community."
Sawh's positive outlook and proactive approach have already made a significant impact in the community. After retiring from the Province of Manitoba in 2021, he assumed the role of Executive Director of the Thompson Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation (TNRC), focusing on community pride, family support, and capacity building.
“Aside from the Humane Society, aside from MAPS, aside from the Legion, just the different experiences that Ive had over the last 30+ years I think would be very helpful to counsel. I think also being here and immersed in the community as much as I have been has given me a depth of the issues that are going on. It’s very important to understand all the sides of the issue”
Reflecting on his vision for the community, Sawh emphasized the importance of highlighting the positives and celebrating the rich cultural background of Thompson. "Thompson is one of the most diverse communities in the Country. We have a rich background and history of culture. It’s something to be proud of, and I want to focus on more of the positives, I think that will make the community go far," he said.
Sawh's extensive career in community development, including his tenure with the Communities Economic Development Fund (CEDF), positions him as a strong candidate with a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities facing the community.
As the by-election approaches, Sawh aims to leverage his breadth of experience to address the pressing issues and lead Thompson towards a brighter future. With his resolute commitment to community well-being and development, he presents a compelling candidacy for the City Council replacement.
