Off-Reserve Advocacy Group Set To Hold Elections

Friday, October 24, 2008 at 14:37

The Saskatchewan chapter of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples will be electing its leadership for the first time tomorrow in Saskatoon.

The Aboriginal Affairs Coalition of Saskatchewan will be also be reviewing its constitution and an audit of its books.

As well, national leader Patrick Brazeau will be in attendance and address the group’s membership.

Interim leader Kim Beaudin says the organization represents off-reserve Aboriginal people, whether they’re non-status, Bill C-31, or Metis.

Beaudin says they don’t steal people from other Aboriginal organizations — but are there for people who feel they have no connection with any other group.

Beaudin says his organization intends to be a model of transparency and democracy, by posting its constitution on its website and directly involving members in executive elections.

He says the group hasn’t been able to secure core funding from either level of government, but has still managed to recruit 250 members province-wide.

Tomorrow’s AGM takes place at St. Mary School, beginning with registration at noon.