Native activist secures political foothold

By Len Kruzenga

After years of languishing on the periphery of real political power, long time Native activist Terry Nelson has finally secured the trappings of legitimate first nations political office with his electoral victory for the chief's post at the Rosseau River Tribal Council.
The victory was a sweet one for Nelson, who many outside observers had considered a long shot for the post.

Nelson easily outdistanced his closest rival, former chief Felix Antoine by 71 votes. Nelson is joined by four new councilors, who also posted electoral victories: Lawrence Henry, Gary Roberts, Keith Henry and Rodney Patrick

One of the defeated candidates for council says the election showed the community is interested and willing to vote on issues important to the future of the community.
"Of the over 800 eligible voters 466 ballots were cast, which is well over 50 per cent." said Robert Egachie. "I think the community is ready to give Terry and the new council a real chance to govern things properly and get to the bottom of the mess that was left by previous administrations."

"But Terry knows that people here and the traditional council, in particular, will be watching things very closely."

And indeed Nelson and his council will have their work cut out for them. The band is currently under third-party management weighed down by an accumulated deficit nearing the $3 million dollar mark, according to INAC sources

Additionally, the reserve has been mired in political controversy over the past three years with former chiefs Felix Antoine and Ed Hayden locked in an acrimonious battle for political control of the reserve and a split in the traditional band custom council at one point, which attempted to take control of the entire reserve, including day-to-day band governance.
At least one southern chief contacted for a response on the results of the Rosseau River election warned that Nelson will have to dull some of his political and rhetorical edges.

"As someone nipping away on the outside Terry could pretty, much say what he wanted, he had no job or position anyone could take away but he's going to have to be careful now not to offend people he's going to have to work beside at the AMC."

"Terry has a lot of energy and passion but he's all over the map. He talks about the strength of traditions and honouring the elders and then turns around and says John Thunder shouldn't be chief at Buffalo Point when everybody knows once our people adopt anyone it's for life, it's good and can't be challenged, said the who requested anonymity."

"Now that he's chief he'll learn it isn't very easy and that the critics are always gunning for you. We'll just have to see if he can stand the same heat that he liked to turn up on everyone else."