Re- elected council member of the White Bear First Nations says water and infrastructure are the major needs of the community.
Ken Lonechild was re-elected on June 20, along with longstanding chief Brian Standingready and five other council members; Thomas Maxie, Clarence Nokahoot, Annette Lonechild, Tanya Littlechief and Seraine Sunkawaste. Lonechild is an older member of council and said his re-election came as surprise because there were many young people who were able to take his position. He expressed his joy for the appointment saying it gives him an opportunity to improve the White Bear community.
"Our housing situation, our living conditions, those are our number one priority amongst our people - in terms of improving the way they are living,"
He explained that the first thing that needs to be done to accomplish these goals is to secure resources and qualified personnel to take on the responsibility of hands-on management of the projects they need to complete.
"Infrastructure is a big priority, given the flooding situation and increase in the rain, the quality of water is another priority for the children's safetychildren safety is always number one on the booksit doesn't matter if its First Nations government or non-First Nation government, water quality is paramount," he said.
He attributed the poor water system to the amount of ground water in the area which is a result of floods and archaic water systems such as septic tanks that are still in use rather than modern water lines that are present in most communities.
"I'm one of those people who still have a septic and water tank outside my house that's prone to anything," Lonechild said.
This is Lonechild's third term and said he gave the community confidence to believe in him during the time he wasn't in council. He attributed this to consistency in doing what he said he would do and his abilities in other fields such as consulting and project management.
"There was a project put together by a previous council and they had enough confidence in my abilities to oversea the project and get it done as quickly and efficiently as possible that they retained my services," Lonechild said.
"We did it exactly the way they wanted it and right on budget."
There are now only seven council members a number which has dropped from 13 but Lonechild hopes that council will address all of White Bear's needs as a collective.
"We have a difference of opinion which is normal but my hope and goal is to see us work as a team," he said.
