On July 1, Craig Makinaw of Ermineskin Cree Nation will officially step into his new role as the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Alberta Regional Chief.
For the next three years, Makinaw feels his past experience as the chief of the Ermineskin Cree will be an important tool for his job. He is now part of the national executive at AFN, which was a goal for him this year.
With the federal election set for 2015, Makinaw feels this will be an interesting year to be on the AFN that has to look at three potential ruling parties.
“If the PCs come back in, if the Liberals are elected or the NDP is elected, you have to come in with three different (perspectives),” he explained.
Looking back at his experience as the Ermineskin chief, Makinaw suggests there may be a tough road ahead. He said leaders look at the treaties when in discussions with federal leaders.
“We’ve always talked about our position and sometimes you even end up having to go to court, which I think is unnecessary,” said Makinaw.
One of the 94 calls to action made by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) last week was for the federal government to honour and respect treaty relationships. While he is unsure what this year’s federal election will look like, Makinaw is pleased with the NDP taking power in Alberta.
“I think it’s going to have an effect on the fall election and I’m hoping that it’s either NDP or the Liberals get in,” he said.
Trust is important for Makinaw and he said he feels more confident that the Liberal or NDP parties will follow through with the 94 recommendations from the TRC.
Makinaw feels he can bring his experience and knowledge of Treaty 6 Nations to the AFN and he is already looking at important issues such as missing aboriginal women, the Education Act and child welfare.
“One of the other main ones is the Natural Resources Transfer Act, which falls in line with revenue sharing,” said Makinaw.
One area that Makinaw is pleased to see is the TRC findings. He suggests this will give Canadians and people around the world a better understanding of the struggles First Nations people went through with the Indian residential schools.
“They’ll understand where we’re at and why and what we’re dealing with,” said Makinaw.
“From there we can start dealing with issues and start working together,” he added.
Makinaw feels he is going to have a busy three years ahead of him and he suggests his job will be different than his tasks as the Ermineskin chief. “It is different because you’re in the next level up.”
“In some ways it’s more advocacy and diplomacy, because we’re going to be working more with chiefs and government officials and businesses probably,” explained Makinaw.