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Chief Jaret Cardinal elected as Grand Chief
SPN Staff
for South Peace News
It’s official. Treaty 8 First Nations have a new Grand Chief.
On July 30, 2009, at the Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta Annual General Meeting, Chief Jaret Cardinal was elected as the Grand Chief of Treaty 8.
“After careful consideration, reflection, and prayer, I chose to accept the nomination for the position of Grand Chief, and I am grateful for the opportunity and the responsibility that has been bestowed upon me as the Grand Chief of Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta” said Chief Cardinal.
“I was approached by a number of Chiefs to run and provide a strong voice to unite all of the Treaty 8 First Nations,” said Chief Cardinal. “Prior to this election, I was given the mandate as the portfolio Chief for the Treaty 8 Bilateral Process and I am very thankful for the opportunity to keep our Treaty in the forefront.”
The position of the Grand Chief is intended to be an advocate and a Spokesperson for all 23 First Nations in Treaty 8 (Alberta).
Currently, it is a requirement that you have to be a Chief to hold the office of the Grand Chief.
“I have been given a mandate by my fellow Chiefs that at the end of my term as Grand Chief – we will broaden the eligibility requirements for the position of Grand Chief of the Treaty 8 First Nations” says Chief Cardinal.
There are many challenges facing the First Nations communities in Treaty 8, in Alberta, and in Canada. Issues of consultation, resource development, building sustainable economies, and the major changes to government legislation and policy are some of these challenges.
Chief Jaret Cardinal will continue to serve both his People as the Chief of Sucker Creek and all Treaty 8 members as the Grand Chief of Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta.
“We are all very proud of the accomplishment that has been given to Chief Cardinal, it is a true testament to his leadership and a reflection of our community that he has been given the opportunity to represent all Treaty 8 members” says Sucker Creek Councilor Russel Willier.
Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta is an organization representing the 23 First Nations located in northern Alberta that are part of Treaty 8. This organization is represented by the 23 Chiefs and is a group that advocates on behalf of the member First Nations.
Sucker Creek First Nation is located on the western end of Lesser Slave Lake, northern Alberta, Canada and is the location where Treaty No. 8 was first signed on June 21, 1899 with the Queen’s representatives. The SCFN has approximately 2500 members living on and off the reserve lands.
The Nation’s desire is to build economic self-reliance through a sustainable and viable economy. This will allow for the people to gain meaningful employment and create the financial foundations to meet the growing needs of the community.
The SCFN is one of the original signatories to the United League of Indigenous Nations Treaty, an International Indigenous treaty between indigenous people in Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand.
This Treaty was signed on August 1, 2007, at the Lummi Indian Reservation.
The focus of this Treaty has been to create one international indigenous voice on many issues including climate change, economic development, and border crossing.
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