Chief Not Backing Down from SaskParty Support

Chief Not Backing Down from SaskParty Support

Friday, October 24, 2003 at 15:34

The chief of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band doesn’t think he’s the only First Nations leader who’s planning to vote for the Saskatchewan Party in the coming election.

Chief Harry Cook made headlines earlier this week when he publicly endorsed the Saskatchewan Party and its leader, Elwin Hermanson.

Cook says there are several reasons why he’s decided to throw his support behind the Saskatchewan Party.

Cook believes the party is in a better position to do something to decrease the number of professionals that are leaving the province — professionals the North needs.

Cook also says the NDP has had 12 years to address a number of northern issues, and he feels it’s time to give another party a try.

As well, Cook isn’t encouraged by the number of prominent NDP leaders that have retired from office in recent years.

Cook also doesn’t feel the Saskatchewan Party will erode First Nations rights any faster than the NDP. He says there is a general lack of understanding about the treaties and their implications at all levels of government, and says there will always be government decisions that Aboriginal people won’t like — no matter who is in charge.