WHITE BEAR FIRST NATIONS - The White Bear First Nations election campaign came to a close on June 23 with a new chief and council elected.
Jonathan was voted as chief, and Sheri McArthur (Cappo), Debbie Maxie, Tanya Whitebear, Tanya Littlechief (Okimasis), Clarence Nokahoot and Brett Standingready were elected as councillors.
Seven band members campaigned for the position of chief, and 36 for position of councillor.
Pasap, son of Vince Bigeagle and Doreen Pasap, was born in Kelowna, B.C., but raised in Saskatoon, Regina and White Bear. He has a business administration degree with over 15 years experience managing successful units such as Painted Hand Casino, Bear Claw Casino and Walmart. Pasap is also a facilitator of life coaching programs.
Pasap and the team, respectfully referring to themselves as Team Nation Builders, will collaborate together until 2025 when the next election will occur. The group has the task of reporting to the community with transparency and accountability. The council and chief want to be accessible to their members on and off reserve, and they want to support their members with a shared vision. This will be accomplished by setting up regular meetings for the community to join.
One of the top priorities of the team is to create a new Elections and Regulations Act that will ensure the collective inclusion of all their members. Currently, there are approximately 2,900 White Bear Band members with 70 per cent living off reserve.
Council notes that White Bear is a fast-growing nation and more members are moving into urban areas for socio-economic reasons. Poverty, housing and economics remain a struggle for White Bear First Nations, a theme noted for others as well.
It is the goal of Pasap and the council members to create a “wealthy and healthy nation”. The band would like to promote more tourism and investments; they currently have the White Bear Golf Course and lake resort.
All of the elected council members are invested in their community, some serving on council for nine years; and all recognized the need for leadership with integrity and a vision.
White Bear currently has a pre- kindergarten program, a combined elementary and high school, a day care, an Aboriginal Head Start program and a post-secondary program which is a four-year Indian teacher education program.
The goal of this elected group is to improve the quality of life for their youth, elders and nation as a whole with health, financial, economic and community rebuild.
