THEBACHA/FORT SMITH
Four people are in the running to become chief of Salt River First Nation (SRFN) in Fort Smith.
The candidates in a byelection set for April 2 are Henry Beaver Jr., Warren Gagnon, Brad Laviolette and Frieda Martselos.
The byelection became necessary when former chief David Poitras resigned on Jan. 26 after a dispute with council over band finances.
Beaver said he is running because he thinks it is time for new leadership.
"I believe, within our nation, there's a time for a change, time for the next generation to take over," he said, adding he has the necessary experience, know-how and ability to listen to people.
Beaver, who is in his late 30s, has no formal experience in Salt River elected politics.
"However, I grew up within the world of politics," he said, noting his father, Henry Beaver Sr., served as chief or councillor for many years.
Beaver said he has education in management studies and has worked in finance in the past, adding he would seek to ensure proper financial procedures are in place for the band.
Beaver currently works in food services at the Northern Lights Special Care Home.
As for disunity in the band, he said people have to respect each other's opinions.
"There has to come a point in time when we do come together and we work with each other regardless of how we feel about it," he said, adding he believes he can develop "common ground" for SRFN membership.
Gagnon, who is a carpenter by trade, said he is running because he feels there has been a lot of mismanagement in the past.
"I feel I'm the right guy for the job," he said of possibly becoming chief.
The 48-year-old has never been on SRFN band council before.
If he is elected chief, Gagnon said he would seek to create more infrastructure on band reserve land, including water and sewer lines to spur development of housing.
"We have less than a dozen people who live on reserve," he said.
As for a way to deal with SRFN political instability, Gagnon suggested the terms of office for chief and council be more than the current two years. "I'd like to extend it to four years," Gagnon said.
Attempts by News/North to contact Martselos and Laviolette for comment were unsuccessful.
Martselos served as chief for four years until she resigned in September of 2011 over disagreements with the council at the time. Since then, she unsuccessfully ran for a seat on Fort Smith town council in last year's municipal election.
The April 2 byelection will also include a vote to fill a vacant seat on council.
The three candidates for council are Gabriel (Tourangeau) Mabry, Don Matthews Jr. and Debbie Sikyea.
The byelection for the seat on council became necessary with the sudden death of Coun. Olga Mansbridge in early January.
The person elected chief will complete the two-year term of Poitras, while the person elected to council will complete the two-year term of the late Coun. Mansbridge.
That means the two successful candidates will serve until September of next year.
