The Prince Albert Grand Council Annual Assembly runs all day Tuesday at Senator Allen Bird Memorial Gymnasium. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

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The result of Monday’s Federal election was fresh on the minds of chiefs attending Prince Albert Grand Council’s (PAGC) Annual Assembly Tuesday at the Senator Allen Bird Memorial Gymnasium.

Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte told paNOW he was disappointed to see a Conservative sweep in Saskatchewan, but added he felt the Liberals have done a good job so far.

“Maybe the Liberal government wasn’t able to deliver all their promises but I think in the four year time, they did a lot,” he said, citing the government’s work around the water and housing crisis on reserves as examples.

Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte was part of the morning ‘s grand entry. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Moving forward, Hardlotte said he thought the Liberal government had a lot more work to do, adding he would like immediate action from the government on the recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Hardlotte said he would also like to see the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls made a greater priority.

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“That’s definitely something that has to be a priority for the government and also for us as First Nations governments,” he said.

Last August, the grand council hosted a special summit to discuss concerns around the Natural Resources Transfer Agreement. The agreement between the federal and provincial governments deals with the transfer of resource revenues. First Nation communities have argued they should be included. Hardlotte said he would like to see the federal government sit down with PAGC Chiefs and address the agreement.

“Prince Albert Grand Council is a treaty-based organization and that’s one of the mandates for us, the protection of the treaty and inherent rights we have,” he said.

The PAGC Annual Assembly runs all day at Senator Allen Bird Memorial and a number of issues affecting the 12 member communities will be discussed over the course of the day. There have also been two special ceremonies planned. During the morning, PAGC’s newest Senator Charles Whitecap was officially sworn in.

Whitecap surrounded by Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte (right) and Vice-Chief Chris Jobb (left). (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Later in the day, an acclamation ceremony is planned for PAGC Vice Chief Chris Jobb. The election for vice-chief was originally scheduled to take place on Tuesday, but was cancelled in late September when PAGC said Jobb was the only qualified candidate for the position. Former James Smith Cree Nation Chief Justin Burns has filed an appeal, claiming he was not given a fair opportunity to run.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell