Braving the cold weather members of Samson Cree Nation went to the polls on Jan. 30 to vote for a new chief and selected Marvin Yellowbird to a three year term.
Yellowbird has previous experience in the Samson Council and was first elected in 1999 and served his three year term.
Yellowbird voiced his vision for the Samson Cree Nation in a press release.
“I am truly humbled by the support and trust bestowed upon me by my Nation. I am very much looking forward to working with my new council, to build upon the progress and success we have already created and achieved and to make the Samson Cree Nation a place all of our members can be proud of.”
Yellowbird believes that to keep building on past success young people need to be encouraged and educated.
“The vast majority of our members are under the age of 25. As our young members face an increasing complex and competitive world, we as a First Nation must ensure that they have the necessary education and skills to compete effectively and succeed.”
Yellowbird attended Ponoka Composite High School and Red Deer College and graduated from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1992 and a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Alberta in 1996. Recently Yellowbird completed post graduate academic requirements for the Directors Education Program from the Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary and in 2007 received the professional ICD.D designation from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto.
Yellowbird has been an active member in the Samson Cree Nation for many years and is currently the chairman of the Peace Hills Insurance Company. He is also a member of the board of directors of Peace Hills Trust Company and is the chairman of the Samson Education Trust Fund and has been involved in a number of other companies and organizations.