First Nations Man Elected to N.B. City Council

First Nations Man Elected to N.B. City Council

Tuesday, October 28, 2003 at 13:00

A man from the Sweetgrass reserve is believed to have made history in last week’s civic election in North Battleford.

Ray Fox is believed to be the first First Nations person to be elected to city council.

Fox received the second-highest amount of votes among the 18 people that ran in the council election.

Fox had made two unsuccessful attempts at city council in years past. He says the Aboriginal vote likely played a significant part in his successful bid this time around. He also says the fact the candidates for mayor focused attention on Aboriginal issues also likely helped his campaign.

Now that he has been elected, Fox hopes to play a vital part in fostering understanding between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in the Battlefords.

Fox also says a number of residents in North Battleford need to be educated on First Nations issues, including the treaties and urban reserves.

Fox is looking forward to working with new North Battleford mayor Julian Sadlowski, whom Fox describes as being well known in the Aboriginal community.