The Roseau River First Nations Treaty One people will elect a new chief and four new councillors this week Thursday March 9th,2017 responsible for operating the community for a two year term. The list of candidates includes six nominees for Chief and twenty eight for Councilor, with only one spot for chief and four councilor positions available.
Lawrence Henry was a Roseau River Reserve chief in the early nineties and currently takes part in the community as an elder healer and by hosting sweats (religious ceremonies for prayer and healing).
"With the settlements we have in our accounts there is no reason that we should not be developing rapidly. I did a ruff estimate and we have almost 200 homes on the reserve and many buildings, in twenty years we are paying any 
"Just one wind turbine costs six million and would be enough energy to fuel the entire reserve making us self sustainable with leftover surplus to sell for revenue, by law Manitoba Hydro has to purchase that surplus. On top of that one turbine could use five to seven people that need training and full-time jobs to run and keep up it's maintenance, can you imagine if we had two,"explained Henry.
Henry went on to say if elected he would put a big focus on recreation for youth like a splash park and education, adding a big emphasis on the need for healing in the community and dissolving the current divide causing controversy and arguments between families.
Robert Egachie is currently the community fire chief and previous government advisor and he say's seeing the need for strong leadership is what drove him to run.
"However I want the people to see the strong leaders and those that have shown success in the past with strong leadership.
Egachie went on to say that strong leadership has been a long time issue, and he wants people to know when they go to vote tomorrow that he is not afraid to stand up for them, adding his other focuses will be on the communities financial structure and how the community generates revenue.
Craig Alexander has spent his entire life on the reserve and working in the community with youth through recreational outlets.
Alexander says he is running for Chief because he sees the need and want for the community to grow successfully and to bring a positive outlook. 
" I feel like it's greatly needed at this point and time because we are low on moral, and I just want to build up people so they are proud that they come from Roseau River. I want everyone to understand that we all have a voice, it's not just our leaders and we need to make that voice heard by those running our community so that we can all come to a positive conclusion on how we run things as a whole and how we can build on that," explained Alexander.
Alexander went on to say that if he were elected he would spear head the election act making it fair for future great leaders, land conversions like the highway six property being designated properly for commercial, and making the community free from the Indian affairs act system, noting his list of things to work on as chief is long but include youth recreation and building stronger relationships with surrounding Municipalities.
All three chief nominees available for comment agreed that communication with band members on or off reserve and the surrounding communities was of high priority.
Other nominees also running for chief could not be located for comment are Cecil James, Mitchell Larocque, and Glennice Smith-Mini.
Due to a judicial ruling that took place on March 7th, 2017 making amendments to the Roseau River election process all nominees are to provide clear proof of a clean criminal record. The Electoral Officer responsible for ensuring the election rules and regulations are followed is Burke Ratte.
Rachel SeenieAmong the nominees for one of the four spots available for councillor is Rachel Seenie who lives off reserve running a self owned salon. Seenie says she is running in this election to help make a safer, healthier and happier community.
"There is a lot of job creation that needs to be done, ninety percent are un employed and ten percent are employed. I'd like to see these offices full of people working, poverty is our number one issue and I want to see that change," explained Seenie.
Seenie went on to say that she also plans to help develop a work plan, budgets, and to dissolve the current divide between people in the community. On voting day she wants the youth to get out and vote, noting that they are the future.
Marcel Sennie Junior is in the running for a councilor spot and says his drive to become a nominee was similar to most people his age running in this election, he wants to see a change in the community.
"I choose to run because I would like to make a difference, and I strongly believe we need to embrace new ideas in order to move forward or end up forever playing catch up. I would also like to build up the community especially the youth," said Sennie Junior.
(Marcel Sennie Junior)
Sennie went on to say he is also advocating for more home renovations, mental health funding, and increased funding for those seeking a higher education.
"When you go to vote Thursday I want you to remember that my focus will be on the community, youth, financial opportunities, and building bridges with our neighbouring communities, explained Sennie.
Elizabeth Patrick is also among the band members running for councilor she says she decided to run when she seen the need for a strong leader with a good business background. 
" I see the economic opportunities that Roseau has with the 1903 and highways six project, and I also support the development of wind turbines that could help make use more self sustainable and save our members money," explained Patrick.
Patrick went on to say if elected that she would ensure better communication to band members possibly in the form of monthly news letters or local news papers, including recreation notices, chief and council projects and more. Patrick added that when you go to vote on Thursday, you can trust that she plans to communicate openly and better than it has been done in the past and will stand up for members.
"I am a experienced Councilor and a number of people approached me to run for this years election. I grew up here and I think you need to use your experience to help your community by setting a positive tone. I think I was asked due to past advice I have given, giving me good credibility with band members, " said Henry.
Henry went on to say that if elected as a Councilor again the reserve has more resources than it did in the past when he was elected, and he plans to focus on economic development, and future wealth, employment, and providing equal opportunities for everyone.
"When you go to vote on Thursday, I want you to think of me as approachable and someone that you can bring your concerns or questions to," explained Henry.
Running in this years election from Winnipeg is Andrew Seaton who says he is a sixties scoop child that did not grow up in the community, however he communicates with his biological family and band 
"What drove me to run was watching the affairs of Roseau un fold over the last seventeen and being in disagreement with a lot of those decision for the lack of fairness and equality they provided the members of our band," explained Seaton
"When you go to Vote on Thursday think about the fact that I have a non biased opinion when it comes to most concerns, due to not having any influence on my opinion growing up off the reserve, said Seaton.
Seaton went on to say his focus if elected would be designating the highway six property and using the development to it's full potential creating more jobs and revenue, noting mental health, addiction, resources and housing are other issues on his list to address.
Others running for Councilor that could not be located for comment are Daryl Roberts, Kytrell Laroque-Dunning, Lloyd Laroque, Current Councilor Zongidaya Nelson, Dianna Henry, Wade Atkinson, Max Seenie, Berry Antoine, Howard Nelson, Gerald (Tait (Pierre, John Richard Nelson, June Thomas, Mary Anne Patrick, Stan Jr. James, Lisa Roberts, Linda Anne Laroque, Gary Roberts, Kenneth Henry Junior, Erin Egachie, Lynda Roberts, Debra Govereau, and Geraldine Antoine.
Election night details will be available at pembinavalleyonline.com by March 10th, 2017.
Fri, Apr 26, 7:00 PM
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