Housing, education key priorities for new FSIN chief

The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) has a new chief: Bobby Cameron of the Witchekan Lake First Nation, who beat out two other candidates for the job. 

He's been serving as the organization's second vice-chief, and while that role brought particular challenges for Cameron, his new post will likely carry a whole new host of issues to navigate.

When you have such a huge, young, growing aboriginal population, the best thing you offer them is safe, affordable housing and education so they can go take their place in Canada.- John Lagimodiere, Eagle Feather News publisher and editor

In order to discuss some of the challenges Cameron will face in the role, Eagle Feather News publisher and editor John Lagimodiere joined host Leisha Grebinski on Saskatoon Morning. 

"I think he entered the race as a favourite," Lagimodiere said, who noted he's not surprised by Cameron's win. 

Cameron's large margin of victory — approximately 500 votes — points to organization that is gaining unity, according to Lagimodiere.

"I think [the FSIN] has come a long way. There was some work that needed to be done at the organization. I think everyone would admit that," he said. "There's a really good energy there."

The newspaper editor said the two biggest issues that Cameron will face as chief are education and housing for the province's aboriginal peoples.

"When you have such a huge, young, growing aboriginal population, the best thing you offer them is safe, affordable housing and education so they can go take their place in Canada," Lagimodiere said. "Those are the two biggest kind of places that have had hiccups in the last 10 years ... there's been a two per cent cap on First Nations funding for 20 years."

He said capital investments are needed for First Nations education. 

As for housing, Lagimodiere noted there's plenty of cases in Saskatchewan of "overcrowding" that need to be addressed and fixed. 

"As aboriginal community goes, so does the rest of Canada," he said.

Lagimodiere said he also thinks the new Liberal government, coupled with the current FSIN executive, are in a prime position to deliver on Justin Trudeau's campaign promise of re-establishing nation to nation relationships with Canada's indigenous peoples. 

"It elevates the constitutional relationship of the set two groups," he said, part of which enable indigenous peoples to have and keep more control "within their own communities, which is where solutions lie."