Darren Deschambeault poses for a picture on Prince Albert's river bank. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Election season

Prince Albert man makes bid for MN-S Vice President

May 10, 2021 | 8:00 AM

There are five individuals vying for the job of vice-president in this month’s Métis-Nation-Saskatchewan election, including Prince Albert’s Darren Deschambeault.

The former broadcaster and journalist is making his fourth bid for the job, but each time has been getting more and more votes.

“It’s something that very important to me because I think we have to make sure the Métis are recognized, but also they need to get help,” he said, adding one of the big challenges facing Métis in the province is poverty.

If elected Deschambeault said he would work to develop programs for youth such as a mental health health line and student counseling. He would also help develop funding for lunch programs, and helping families pay for school supplies and tutoring.

“It’s very expensive for families to support heir children and also pay their bills,” he said.

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With respect to helping adults, Deschambeault said he’ll commit to developing a homelessness program, as well as helping elders specifically by creating an honorarium and a medical transport service.

“An elder told me you are nothing without your people and I believe that firmly,” he said.

Another key issue for Deschambeault has to do with protecting Métis rights. He said there’s been a lot o talk about hunting and fishing rights, but added land claims are also an important piece of the equation.

“If we are going to be governing ourselves, we have to make sure we have a land base,” he said, adding a land base must include infrastructure such as schools, hospitals and government buildings.

In addition to his work with the media, Deschambeault also worked as a policy analyst for the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN), where he worked on the worked on the FSIN’s consultation and communication policies. Providing a specific example of how the government must include Métis people, Deschambeault referred to the industry happening in the north.

“All our resources all around us are getting taken and we are getting nothing. That has to change,” he said.

“Our strenth comes from our people”

Election day is May 29.

The other candidates vying for the position of vice-president are Darrel Burnouf, Michelle Leclair, Dale McAuley,and incumbent Gerald Morin. As part of paNOW’s continuing coverage of the election, we will feature a different candidate each day this week.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell