Brian Hardlotte is going to continue serving as Grand Chief of the Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC).
Late last month Hardlotte was acclaimed to the PAGC’s top position for another term after no other candidate put their name forward.
Hardlotte said being acclaimed to the position of Grand Chief is something he is thankful for.
“It’s humbling, I can say that, to be acclaimed, I thank of course, the Creator for the opportunity and keeping me healthy to be able to work hard,” he said.
The Grand Chief is already one year into the new term, as the COVID-19 pandemic forced the PAGC to put off their elections assembly. Hardlotte’s current term will be up in two years time.
Hardlotte added he appreciates the support he has gotten from the chiefs and councils which make up the PAGC. He also thanked those who stepped forward to nominate him to serve another term.
“I thank them and I am honoured,” he said.
Currently Hardlotte said much of his focus is on helping the tribal council’s communities get through the COVID-19 pandemic. He added the past 18-19 months have been a trying time for the PAGC and its members.
“It’s been a very challenging of course with all the Chiefs and their communities and here in the Prince Albert Grand Council and supporting the Chiefs and Councilors with their strategies,” he said.
Supporting their communities has included regularly meetings with band’s pandemic teams and also speaking with federal authorities to coordinate and make sure communities have what they need.
Hardlotte said coordination work has also been done with the Saskatoon Tribal Council and Battlefords Agency Tribal Council to put on vaccination clinics in certain cities.
“A three way partnership that we were able to do that for the urban people,” he said.
Helping member First Nations deal with the unmarked graves coming to light at former residential schools has also been a priority for the PAGC.
As well Hardlotte said the wildfires in the north have impacted many First Nations communities. He explained the tribal council has been able to work out agreements with the Saskatchewan Red Cross when it comes to working together to deal with some of the impacts of fires. But Hardlotte added they are looking to improve their relationship with the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency going forward.
“I am an optimist, I am optimistic we can work through a lot of these challenges,” he said.
(PAGC Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte: File Photo)