Pearl Lorentzen
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeside Leader
Darrell Anderson has lots of experience on boards and has worked in education for many years. He is running to be the Desmarais-Sandy Lake trustee for Northland School Division.
Anderson is a former Bigstone Cree Nation councillor and has sat on national Indigenous boards connected with literacy and forestry. He has a bachelor in Native studies and cultural anthropology and a masters of education in international/intercultural education.
Anderson has worked in education in Wabasca for 25 years, written several books, including being co-author of a social studies textbook which is part of the Grade 6 to 9 social studies curriculum. While working at Mistassiniy Schoool, Anderson connected students and elders. The elders told their stories and the students wrote them into a book called Kayas Ayamikamik Acimowina: Old Stories of the Mission. It was published in 2017.
If elected, Anderson says, “I want to ensure we have the highest level of education.”
Having worked in developing culturally-based programs, he wants students to have a strong cultural foundation, “enhancing what we have.”
Anderson would like Northland to have more extracurricular activities.
“We need teachers who are willing to be more community involved,” he says, “not just sports, but also starting smaller things like photography clubs.”
Asked why he is running, Anderson says, “I think there is always room for improvement. We need the whole community involved.”
Anderson is a Bigstone member, who was born in Desmarais. He was raised by his grandparents and is a fluent Cree speaker. He lived in Desmarais until 14, when he moved to California. He played football in high school, college, and the University of Alberta. He moved back to the community to teach. He is retired.
Other candidate
Karen Auger asked The Leader not to run the candidate article, as she was planning on pulling her candidacy. However, since the deadline to withdraw had passed her name will still be on the ballot.
Northland School Division released the following statement on Oct. 9, “Northland School Division has been advised that Karen Auger would like to withdraw from the election for Ward 6 – Desmarais and Sandy Lake. Under Alberta’s Local Authorities Election Act, candidates may only withdraw their nomination during the nomination period or within 24 hours after the nomination period closes. That timeframe has now passed, which means the division cannot legally accept or process a withdrawal at this stage. The election for Ward 6 will proceed as scheduled.”