Newly elected Peter Ballantyne Chief Karen Bird, (Submitted photo/Cora Okemau)

By Nigel Maxwell

Community priorities

“It’s just so historic and I’m so happy”: PBCN Chief

Apr 29, 2021 | 12:07 PM

The newly-elected Chief of Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation (PBCN) is getting down to work, after being sworn in Wednesday night in her home community of Southend.

Karen Bird was elected with 1,466 votes. She told paNOW she felt overwhelmed by all the support she has received through social media and text messages. In addition to being the first female Chief from Southend, Bird’s election also means all three Chiefs of the Woodland Bands in Northern Saskatchewan are women.

“It’s just so historic and I’m so happy,” Bird said. “The three of us women will be doing a lot of work [together] for our first nations.”

Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation consists of eight reserves and is one of the biggest bands in the province. Bird explained two of the biggest challenges are the geography and the fact each community has its own individualized needs.

“We are so far apart in our first nations reserves. It’s causing a lot of hardships and challenges to work together,” she said.

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Bird, who made a number of rounds through the communities during her campaigning, said of the bigger concerns she heard are related to roads and housing.

“We have so many people that are homeless and the urban members that need support, need to be looked at,” Bird said.

Another issue that came to light during the election had to do with the election’s act and Bird confirmed plans to re-visit the document during her time in office.

Issues arose when a COVID outbreak at Sturgeon Landing forced the postponement of election activities in the community. When the Head Electoral Officer tried to change dates for ballot counting, an appeal was filed with the federal court which almost further delayed the counting of ballots. Fortunately, a ruling came down last Sunday which paved the way ballot counting Tuesday night.

Despite running for council three times, Bird has no prior experience on council and has a background in education. She’s been a teacher/principal/administrator in her home community and has more recently worked as an educational consultant for the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN). Bird said she aims to use the skills she has acquired, in her new job.

“I am very proud of Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation and I want to say thank you for all the support that I received,” she said. “I am going to take that with me and that’s what I am going to continue to work for.”

Election results (provided by Head Electoral Officer Burke Ratte)

In addition to the position of chief, a total of 14 councillors were also elected.

Clarisse Lecoq was re-elected PBCN urban councillor.

The other councillors elected were Sarah Swan, Thomas Linklater Jr., Elizabeth Michel, Ronald Michelle Jr., Myrtle Ballantyne, Marvin H. Morin, Nora Bear, Richard Budd, Harvey Natewayes, Kevin Morin, Josephine E. Michel, Nelson Morin, Walter Ballantyne and Peter R. Beatty.

The term of office is for three years and will expire April 9, 2024.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell