The First Nation Lands Advisory Board (LAB) announce results of 2024 Elections
2024年8月5日 - 9:51PM
The Lands Advisory Board is pleased to announce the appointment of
seven (7) LAB Directors. There are two (2) newly elected directors,
while five (5) have been re-elected in their regions. The newly
elected Directors will begin a three-year term immediately after
the close of the 2024 LAB Annual General Meeting in late August.
“I am very pleased with the election results. A
warm welcome to the new LAB directors Howard E. Grant (Western
Region) and Chief Gordon BlueSky (Manitoba) for your appointments.
Also, congratulations to our returning LAB Directors Chief Maureen
Chapman, Steven Roy Johnson, Chief Jeremy Norman, Philip Goulais
and James Cada. I am confident in this group of respected First
Nation’s leaders who have had great impact in each of their
communities to advance governance and address issues that matter to
our people. The LAB will have a depth of experience that will help
us advance Framework Agreement lands governance to implement land
management solutions in communities from coast-to-coast-to coast,”
said Chief Robert Louie, Chairman of the LAB.
Western Region
Chief Maureen Chapman is a returning LAB Director
from Sq'ewá:lxw First Nation in the Upper Fraser Valley region of
British Columbia. Her traditional name is Shxwetelemel-elhot and
she is a Hereditary Chief in her community and is President for the
Sto:lo Xwexwilmexw Government.
Howard E. Grant is a newly elected director. Howard
was born and raised in Musqueam First Nation. He is a cultural
speaker, historian and cultural leader of his family. Howard is the
Executive Director of the First Nations Summit and has been a long
serving member of the Musqueam Indian Band Council. Mr. Grant is a
well-respected leader who has held senior level positions for both
Musqueam Indian Band and in the federal government.
Prairie Region
Steven Roy Johnston is a returning LAB Director
from Mistawasis First Nation in Saskatchewan. Steven is a member
and Councillor of Mistawasis Nêhiyawak government and is dedicated
to economic development, finance, housing and child and family
services. Steven also sits on the board of the First Nation
Financial Management Board.
Chief Jeremy Norman is also a returning LAB
Director from Flying Dust First Nation in Saskatchewan. Chief
Norman is the son of former Chief Jim Norman. Chief Jeremy Norman
worked as recreation director for Flying Dust for 12 years and
served as Band Councillor for six years before being elected chief
in 2016.
Manitoba
Chief Gordon BlueSky is the newly
elected LAB Director for Manitoba. Gordon was
first elected Chief of Brokenhead Ojibway Nation in the
spring of 2022 and was reelected by acclamation in April 2024
for a new 4 year term. He was recently elected for a 2nd term to
the Treaty Land Entitlement Committee board as their Vice-President
and is also the spokesperson for the Treaty One
Nations. Chief BlueSky has served as
the Lands and Resources Manager for Brokenhead
Ojibway Nation and was previously an Implementation
Officer for the Treaty Land Entitlement Committee of
Manitoba.
Eastern Region
Philip Goulais is a long-standing LAB Director who
has been re-elected for another term. Mr. Goulais former Chief of
Nipissing First Nation (2003-2006) and Indian Commissioner of
Ontario (1992-2000). Additionally, Mr. Goulais served as Grand
Chief of Robinson-Huron Territory from 1982 to 1988. In addition to
being a LAB Director, Philip sits on several boards and is an
advisor to the Union of Ontario Indians.
James Cada has also been re-elected for another
term with the LAB. James has served for more than two decades as
the Director of Operations for Mississauga First Nation. James has
extensive experience with land settlement agreements and
negotiation team member for HWY/ILA and Flooded Lands Negotiations.
James was an instrumental in championing the Mississauga Land Code
and many key community facilities and infrastructure development
projects built at Mississauga First Nation.
About the First Nation Land Advisory
BoardThe Lands Advisory Board was created to support First
Nations to resume jurisdiction over reserve lands and resources.
The Lands Advisory Board is comprised of an elected Chairman and
regionally elected Directors, determined by the Councils of the
signatory First Nations who have formally established their land
codes.
Quick facts
- The Lands Advisory Board was created
to support First Nations in resuming jurisdiction over reserve
lands and resources. The Lands Advisory Board is comprised of an
elected chairman and regionally elected directors, determined by
the councils of the signatory First Nations who have formally
established their land codes.
- The Framework Agreement was developed
to provide recognition for First Nations' inherent right to govern
their reserve lands. The Framework Agreement includes a growing
number of communities across Canada who are interested in replacing
the restrictive lands-related sections of the Indian Act with the
legal framework developed in a community land code.
Associated links:
Lands Advisory Board • First Nations Land
Management Resource Centre
For more information, media may
contact:
John Makson Senior Public Relations AdvisorLands
Advisory Board john.makson@labrc.com 250-661-5471