Lerat, Watson Win FSIN Vice-Chief Elections

Lerat, Watson Win FSIN Vice-Chief Elections

Friday, October 30, 2009 at 12:15

 

 

A familiar face, sometimes associated with controversy, has been elected to the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations executive.

 

Dutch Lerat is now the third vice-chief of the federation.

 

Several years ago, he was found to have misappropriated hundreds of thousands of dollars from the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority.

 

Flanked by his two daughters, Lerat says he had no expectations coming into yesterday’s vote.

 

“I’m humbled, very humbled, by the support that I got. I’m grateful for the support that I’ve got. The last 10 years have been a challenge for both me and my family, and the confidence that the assembly places in me to advance their issues and their agenda again — I’m very grateful for that, and I will work hard for them,” Lerat says.

 

Lerat beat out incumbent Glen Pratt by 47 votes.

 

Meanwhile, incumbent Morley Watson easily defeated his challenger Robin McLeod for the position of first vice chief.

 

Watson won by a vote of 576 to 283.