FSIN Vice Chief Heather Bear. Photo courtesy of FSIN.
FSIN Vice Chief Heather Bear wishes Premier Brad Wall well in his life after politics and thanked him for his efforts during his ten years as premier, however she was short on praise when it comes to his accomplishments with the Indigenous file.
Bear says some progress was made, but the Wall government fell short in many areas. In particular, she says the economic boom that was part of the Brad Wall years was not shared by the Aboriginal community.
“You know, Saskatchewan benefited greatly when we had the boom right, but our people, we don’t even know we have been in a recession because we have always been there,” she said. “So how can I tip my hat (to the premier) when we struggle each and every day within this province and we have been left out.”
Bear made her comments to MBC at the closing ceremonies for the First Nations Summer Games in Regina.
In his remarks to reporters yesterday, Premier Brad Wall said there has been some progress on Aboriginal issues, but admits, more needs to be done.
“There have been improvements, but I think it’s fair to say there has not been enough progress,” he said. “I hope the next leader takes the opportunity to update the growth plan again, as we did in 2011, and I think a big part of that has to be further engagement by all people in the economy, especially by First Nations folks.”
The Sask Party has already started the process of selecting a new leader. That could happen as early as January. Premier Wall will stay on as premier and Swift Current MLA until then, but after his successor is in place, he will begin a new life outside of politics.
The NDP is also picking a new leader, but that won’t happen until May of next year. Meantime, recent public opinion polls have the NDP gaining ground against the Sask Party, particularly in the cities.
The next provincial election will take place in 2020.