Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy running for Ontario Regional Chief position
NAN leader running for regional chief's job - Stan Beardy says economic participation for First Nations is a priority
May 14, 2012
Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy has announced his candidacy to become the next Regional Chief of Ontario.
NAN Grand Chief Stan Beardy announced on Sunday that he is running to become Regional Chief of Ontario. (CBC/Nicole Ireland)
Stan Beardy said he has more than 20 years of experience in political office, both as head of NAN and as Chief of Muskrat Dam, his home community.
Beardy said his years representing 49 northern Ontario First Nations would serve him well in the Regional Chief role.
"Understanding first-hand the challenges and opportunities in the Far North where everybody's looking ... for wealth creation, I am in a position to be able to negotiate (and) understand ... what is required."
If he wins the new position, Beardy said, more economic participation for First Nations will be his first priority.
"When I look at the budgets by ... both levels of government - the federal budget, the provincial budget, the last announcements -- there was very little for First Nation people."
So far, Beardy is the only challenger to incumbent Angus Toulouse, who has held the position since 2005.
The Regional Chief will be elected at the Chiefs of Ontario conference in Toronto, scheduled for June 26-28.