The Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal is the daily newspaper of Northwestern Ontario.
The newly-elected grand chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation will continue to work at creating more engagement with government when it comes to resource development. During a press conference on Wednesday, Harvey Yesno said that chiefs in the NAN territory want a different approach to communicating with the government.
“Today things have changed,” Yesno said told the media. “The issue on the table is resource development that is happening in the communities but there is no meaningful engagement that is happening. We would like to see the governments walk and talk, and we want to participate in that.”
Yesno also spoke about creating a balance for all First Nations when it comes to revenue sharing. On issues relating to land, Yesno emphasized that there needs to be consent and First Nations shouldn’t have to protest to protect their lands.
“We aren’t going to protest and just let things happen,” he said. “We have to protect it. Protest sometimes raises a voice, but most times things just go on. I think that’s the difference.”
Yesno was elected as NAN grand chief last week, defeating former deputy grand chief Terry Waboose by one vote, 22-21 in the secret-ballot vote. Yesno replaces Stan Beardy, who was recently elected as the Ontario Regional Chief.
Alvin Fiddler of Muskrat Dam and Goyce Kakegamic of Keewaywin were elected as deputy grand chiefs. They join Les Louttit of Fort Albany who was re-elected as a deputy grand chief.
Prior to running for the grand chief position, Yesno, 57, served as president of NAN’s development fund for business ventures.
Yesno was born at the remote Eabametoong First Nation, 350 kilometres north of Thunder Bay “into a family of business and retail.” He served as Eabametoong’s chief for five terms.
NAN represents 49 First Nations and about 45,000 Cree and Oji-Cree living on and off reserve.