A photo taken of the flag outside the WR2 office in downtown Prince Albert. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Election candidates

MN-S Western Region Two candidates prepare for election

May 4, 2021 | 2:00 PM

The Metis-Nation Saskatchewan (MN-S) election is less than a month away and there are four candidates vying for leadership of western region 2.

Sherry McLennan is seeking her second term as regional director.

“Last time was a learning experience so now I’ve got some experience under my belt, so I am pretty happy to let my name stand again,” she said.

With respect to what her plans are if re-elected, McLennan mentioned she has a lot of great ideas for the local, as well as the MN-S. Those ideas include a legislative building at Batoche, healthcare for Metis people, as well as the expansion of a pilot project that helps bring back the Michif language.

“We are trying to preserve that. Our Elders are getting older and we are trying to get them involved by teaching the language again,” McLennan explained.

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The MN-S announced the two-year pilot project in September 2020, where they created the Michif Early Learning Pilot Project (MELPP) and the Dene Early Learning Pilot Project (DELPP). Over 130 kindergarten and prekindergarten students are learning the two languages because of these projects.

A picture taken of McLennan outside her campaign office. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

McLennan acknowledged a divide with the MN-S and explained there has been a feeling of three smaller groups fighting for power.

“We would be much stronger together instead of all this fighting,” she said.

McLennan said a big part of her job has been helping people, and it’s a job she does not take lightly, citing a personal passion to help people apply for grants for education and homeownership. McLennan also believes in a strong family and thinks leadership needs to be constantly looking for ways to empower youth.

“They are going through such a hard time right now, so much mental health and addictions and they dont know how to function in this COVID world,” she said.

Darlene Berube has seen council through two previous regional directors (Darlene McKay and Sherry McLenna), before stepping down as treasurer in 2019. She explained the idea of running for regional director has been on her mind for years.

“I just felt it was the right time to finally step forward,” she said.

Darlene Berube. (Facebook)

Going forward, Berube explained her main issues are transparency, fiscal responsibility and ensure the MN-S is self-sufficient. Berube also wants to ensure all Metis people feel included.

“Right now there are some locals and some other Metis who don’t have a local they belong to, so we just need to get all Metis back … so we get more of the grassroots,” she said.

Citing her educational background and government experience, as well as her rural residence, Berube said she can be a good leader for Western Region 2. Noting also that the previous regional directors are related, Berube said she can bring some fresh ideas to the table.

“I think sometimes we get personal. Personal issues can sometimes fog or cloud the issues, and we need to get out of that and just get more into the business of running things appropriately,” she said.

The other two candidates for Western Region 2 are Curtis Blanchard and Darlene McKay. As part of a two-part series, paNOW aims to have interviews with both candidates by later this week.

The MN-S election has been scheduled for May 29.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell