Frank Roberts was elected Montreal Lake Chief in the fall of 2017. (submitted photo/Tina Pelletier)

By Nigel Maxwell

Election

Roberts seeks second term as chief of MLCN

Sep 28, 2020 | 3:51 PM

Frank Roberts believes he has a lot of unfinished business and that’s one of the main reasons he says he is seeking to be re-elected Chief of Montreal Lake Cree Nation.

The band’s election will take place Wednesday.

In an interview with paNOW, Roberts explained he received a lot of positive feedback from members with respect to council’s work and handling of the band’s finances.

“I’m in good health so I want to continue to do that work for the band members. We’ve taken a lot of positive strides but we still have a long ways to go,” he said.

One of the things Roberts said he is most proud of is council’s ability to lower the band’s overall debt by over $2.1 million in two years, which in turn lowers the band’s overall risk rating with Indigenous Services Canada

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“In order to qualify for housing you have to be at a low risk so for the first time in probably over 10 years we’ve qualified for funding for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC),” he said, adding the deal is worth about $1.48 million to the band.

Another big accomplishment for Roberts was a $2.2 million settlement reached last December with the Federal Government over Ammo and Twine Encroachment dating back to the early 1900s. In addition to buying some new heavy equipment (graders, septic truck), over half a million dollars was used toward two new youth centres at MLCN and Little Red Reserve, as well as a new office in Prince Albert for urban members.

Moving forward, Roberts said he plans to continue work on the band’s five year Crystal Meth Reduction Program, which more recently has seen the opening of a new eight-bed detox facility at Montreal Lake. He also indicated the band is in the development stages of a land code which will allow the band to run its own economic development projects, without the need to get approval from Indigenous Services Canada.

“It’s a two-year process but that’s exciting for us. It’s been a long time coming,” he said.

Roberts also mentioned a proposal was submitted to the federal government for a new women’s shelter at Montreal Lake.

Wednesday’s election was originally scheduled to happen in March but was postponed twice due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Both Roberts and Urban Councillor Eldon Henderson were allowed to retain their current positions until the election to ensure the continuity of governance, administration, and leadership of the community. Roberts explained council was forced to make some unpopular decisions such as a community lockdown that started as two weeks but was extended to a month.

“We got a lot of flack but it was for the protection of our members overall, especially our most vulnerable people,” he said.

Roberts is challenged this election by longtime educator Joyce Naytowhow.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell