By paNOW Staff

Onion Lake chief calls for First Nations political party in 2015

Nov 2, 2011 | 5:16 PM

paNow Staff

Onion Lake Cree Nation Chief Wallace Fox made a surprise announcement on Wednesday at a press conference aimed at encouraging indigenous people to vote, where he “ressurected” the concept of a First Nations political party.

“No longer will our people be silent,” said Fox.

“I believe that it's time.”

The idea has been tried before, a decade ago by Brendan Cross.

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Fox said he's talked to “about a dozen” other chiefs who have expressed interest in such a party, and cited past research which suggested that a First Nations Party would win in eleven ridings, which could mean a change in the balance of power.

First Nations student at the U of S Erica Lee, 21, agreed.

“I think the idea of a First Nations political party is a good idea because it's such a misunderstood issue,” said Lee.

“There's a whole set of unique problems to our community.”

The chief maintained that he has no intention of leading such a party.

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