Terrence Nelson Running For AFN Chief

Terrence Nelson Running For AFN Chief

Friday, June 05, 2009 at 13:54

A fourth candidate has entered the race to succeed Phil Fontaine as leader of the Assembly of First Nations.

Terrence Nelson of the Roseau River First Nation says he wants to assert First Nations sovereignty and determination, if elected on July 22.

Nelson is an outspoken and at times controversial figure, well known for criticizing the federal government over its policies on First Nations citizens.

He says he wants to take control of natural resource dollars instead of relying on the federal government to funnel them down to First Nations.

Nelson feels it’s Ottawa that needs the First Nations, rather than the other way around. “It’s our land and resources that power up this economy,” he says.

Nelson claims he has a lot of support behind him from other chiefs in the country who aren’t encouraged by what they’ve heard from the other three candidates so far, whom he feels are sticking too closely to the “status quo”.

He adds that the AFN needs some new blood right now, as it currently seems to think all that’s needed is for the Liberals to take power and everything will be okay.