Paul Bickford
Northern News Services
Monday, April 9, 2007

FORT RESOLUTION - Lloyd Cardinal has resigned as president of the Fort Resolution Metis Council.

His resignation, effective March 31, was because of personal reasons.

Cardinal noted he has a plumbing and heating business to run, and would like to spend more time with his family.

"I just got tired of it," he added of his role as president, noting it's not a paying job, except for a $100 honorarium to attend a monthly meeting.

Council member Kara King has been named interim president, and will serve out the rest of the president's current term to the summer of 2008.

Cardinal, who also served as president from 1984-86, was elected leader for a second time in July 2004.

Back then, he said he wanted to raise the profile of the 200-strong Metis community in Fort Resolution.

Looking back at his time in office, Cardinal said he did increase Fort Resolution's role in the land and resources negotiations involving the Northwest Territory Metis Nation and the federal and territorial governments. "I do believe Fort Resolution, with all its history, is one of the key players in the Metis process."

The former president also said he advanced the concept of a new office building for the Metis council.

"The idea has sunken into a lot of people's minds right now of new Metis infrastructure in the community," he said, although he adds a building won't be constructed any time in the foreseeable future.