By Bryan Eneas

PAGC says goodbye to Ron Michel

Oct 23, 2017 | 2:48 PM

After nearly 40 years in Indigenous politics, the Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) is saying goodbye to its leader.

Grand Chief Ron Michel is heading into retirement following this year’s annual assembly, which is being hosted in Prince Albert on Oct. 23 and 24. His co-workers and counterparts from the Grand Council honoured the man sometimes referred to as “Rambling Ron” with a slideshow featuring some of his work over the years.

The outgoing grand chief said he’ll spend his first year of retirement focusing on his family.

“Retirement is kind of scary. It scares me after all of these years of working,” Michel said. “I do have some grandchildren who are going to school. I’m gonna keep an eye on them and just rest for a year.”

Following his rest period, Michel said he will continue to contribute to the PAGC community by working and consulting with different communities down the road.

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Michel said some of his greatest accomplishments include bringing more Indigenous-run services to PAGC.

“Our health department, we’re trying to take over some of the services that are catered by non-First Nations companies,” Michel said. “Those things shouldn’t happen if we can do them.”  

He also cited the creation of the PAGC senate and women’s commission as two landmarks which happened under his time as grand chief.

He also served 10 terms as chief of the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation before taking on his current role. Article clippings posted in a display honouring Michel said at 33, he was the youngest person to ever hold the chiefs title in the Peter Ballatanye Cree Nation.

Tributes poured in during the opening remarks at the PAGC Assembly. FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron called Michel a good friend and a good teacher.

“We’re gonna miss him,” Cameron said. “[He taught me] when meeting with provincial and federal governments, speak up for what you believe in, stand up for what you believe in.”

Michel offered some final advice to whomever replaces him.

“It’s so important that you have to have a little [idea] what leadership is all about,” Michel said. “Knowing how to deal with people is the main thing, and also, working for the chiefs. You’re not on top, the chiefs are the ones that call the shots.”

The PAGC goes to the polls tomorrow at 10 a.m. with voting closed at noon. Speeches from the three candidates Brian Hardlotte, Charles Whitecap and Elmer Ballantyne will be hosted tonight at the Senator Allen Bird Memorial Centre.  

Bryan.Eneas@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @BryanEneas