The Bigstone Cree Nation will have a new chief this week. Six members were running for the position in the Tuesday, Apr. 29 by-election, including Gordon T. Auger, the most recent holder of the title.
Auger resigned a couple of months ago, citing personal reasons. Then he apparently changed his mind and decided he wanted to serve out his term.
Instead, the band council opted for a by-election and threw the field open to anyone who was interested. As it turned out, five others met the eligibility requirements, according to an announcement from the Bigstone office.
Auger’s challengers are Myles Auger, former chief Mike Beaver, Francis G. Gladue, Basil Manossa and Raymond Yellowknee.
Manossa has been a thorn in the side of the Auger administration for several years. Along with other members he has initiated or is involved in several lawsuits against the Bigstone Cree Nation. One of them challenges the results of the last election. Others are about evictions or wrongful dismissals.
Yellowknee works at the Wabasca office of the Zone 5 Metis Association. He has previously worked for Native Counselling Services and until recently was a board member of the Neegan Awas’sak Child and Family Services.
He also developed and managed a young offenders camp in Wabasca for three years.
Reached last Thursday at a meeting in Slave Lake, Yellowknee said he felt pretty good about his chances.
“I’m very hopeful,” he said.
Yellowknee said if elected his two main priorities will be accountability and unity.
He also would try to work out the differences between the Bigstone Cree Nation and oilfield contractors. He believes a lot of the problems can be handled through talks between the various parties.
“There shouldn’t be any need for anyone to go to government if they have a quarrel with Bigstone,” he said.
None of the six candidates are current band councillors.
If you’re reading this before 6:00 p.m. on Apr. 29, there’s still time to get down to the Slave Lake Native Friendship Centre and vote for the candidate of your choice.

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