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Chief acclaimed in Jean Marie River Nathalie Heiberg-Harrison Northern News Services Published Monday, October 31, 2011
Stan Sanguez, who has acted as chief, sub-chief, acting chief and band councillor will be chief until 2014. He said housing, education, devolution and the Dehcho Process will be his four priorities. "I'm not afraid to talk for my community. If there are issues that need to be raised for my community I'll do that," he said. Sanguez has been acting chief in Jean Marie River since February of this year, when the band council removed chief Isadore Simon following a vote of non-confidence. Housing, which was at the forefront in the Deh Cho during the territorial election, is a major problem in the community, according to Sanguez. The main culprit is the NWT Housing Corporation, he added, because they focus on renting units instead of finding ways for residents to become homeowners. "How do we work with the territorial government to make sure people in the communities own homes?" he said. Education and training have to be improved as well, said Sanguez, and the GNWT has to help train people. This is vital if local organizations, such as the band office, are to keep hiring local people, he said. One piece of the puzzle is finding a devolution agreement that aboriginal groups can side with, he said. Another is getting the community involved in the Deh Cho Process. "It's so crucial right now, the negotiations with Canada," he said. Sanguez said he will work hard to make sure members of Jean Marie River First Nation are kept up to date on negotiations. Having a strong, well-rounded band council to work with is key to staying informed and communicating with residents, Sanguez said.
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