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Southend school principal has political ambitions

Apr 1, 2015 | 7:48 AM

Since 1911, Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation has only had one female chief, but Karen Bird from Southend is hoping to change that.

She is one of three candidates for chief in the upcoming band election.

According to Bird, it’s a job she has dreamed about for many years.

“I [knew] that I wanted to one day but I needed experience. I’m still a young woman so I can do it now,” she said.

Bird works as a school principal at Southend. She has five children, who range in age from 17 to 27 years old. 

 

“I hear people, like you know the Facebook world, the social media [world], people are calling for a change and they want a female leader,” she said.

Election day is still weeks away, but Bird has already been active on the campaign trail. She was in Pelican Narrows on Monday.

She said one of the main concerns she hears is that there is a shortage of housing in the communities. She said the people need to be taught how to build their own houses.

“The money’s that’s there, what little money that’s there, we can give people the tools, the support, even get them a way to get the wood,” said Bird.

Another issue Bird is campaigning on is one closer to her own heart: social programming.

“There’s a lot of people, not just in my immediate family, but in the communities who are dealing with substance abuse and alcohol and drugs,” said Bird.

Bird wants more healing centres in the communities, places where people can go and get support for their addictions.

“Those people who cannot help themselves need to be told, it’s OK. It’s OK for you to be OK, you don’t always have to be in this state of poverty mindset. People need to be talked out of that and they need support,” said Bird.

Election Day is April 14. The other candidates are incumbent Peter Beatty, and former Chief Darrell McCallum.

Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation, located in Saskatchewan’s north, encompasses nearly 52,000 sq. kilometres (km), and is heavily forested. By comparison, Prince Albert is 65.68 square km.

paNOW will be talking with all the candidates prior to the election. 

nmaxwell@panow.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell