Athabasca Vice Chief Joseph Tsannie. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Indigenous issues

Tsannie re-elected as PAGC Athabasca Vice Chief

Oct 26, 2021 | 5:00 PM

Joseph (Smy) Tsannie has been re-elected to a third term as Vice Chief for the Athabasca Region.

The election was held during this week’s Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) annual assembly. Tsannie received 141 votes, 14 more than challenger Joan Strong.

During his acceptance speech, Tsannie discussed a number of pressing issues facing PAGC including the pandemic response. He applauded the frontline workers in all the communities, noting some of them even got sick trying to protect their communities and loved ones.

“Some of them were really verbally abused too because people don’t like being told what to do,” he said.

Tsannie explained there’s been a lot of tough decisions made by leaders, and noted many tears had been shed during the daily conference calls. He also described a lack of support from the provincial government.

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“When we were having outbreaks, they opened up the province. Why I don’t know, we requested some restrictions within our communities. None of them have been implemented,” he said.

Tsannie also reached out to northern communities who have struggled with youth suicides. He described the situation as complex.

“And I talked to some of our members at Little Red and they said we didn’t see the signs. We didn’t know that was happening with our young people. We continue to bury our young people,” he said.

A picture taken of Vice Chief Tsannie with his son. (Submitted photo/ Tina Pelletier)

Moving forward Tsannie acknowledged there are a lot of challenges ahead for PAGC but added his belief that issues and concerns surrounding reconciliation and inherent treaty rights can be best tackled if the communities all work together.

“To look at the corn we must occupy the fields. I believe that,” he said.

Also Tuesday was the formal acclamation of Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte, which was previously announced last month.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell