Chief Dean Sayers looking ahead to new term
Batchewana First Nation is giving its long-time leader another mandate. Dean Sayers will serve another term as chief after defeating two challengers by a wide margin in the latest band council elections.
Chief Sayers brought in 424 votes, beating his nearest challenger by 230 votes. He says there are many issues he's looking to address in his new term, including some ongoing, national-level challenges.
"What's prominent in my mind is the relationship with the Crown," says Sayers. "We really need to revisit and create a strategic plan on how we're going to have the relationship realigned with the Crown so that it's more reflective of the original spirit and intent."
Sayers adds the $4 per year annuity issue, which has been in and out of the courts, is something else he's looking for resolution on.
"We've got a number of court decisions that tell Canada and Ontario to pay the rent," says Sayers. "We have these tables set, ready to have productivity and neither Canada nor Ontario have sent anybody to that table with any mandate to negotiate or resolve."
Sayers was first elected chief in 2006, and as of right now, he has no plans to seek a higher office.
"Who I am as an Anishinabek from Baawaating kind of defines that," he says. "If there's some kind of a turn on the trail ahead, I'm open to those kinds of considerations. And I'll let our ancestors and the spirits help in that determination."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
BREAKING Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko won't play in Game 2
The Vancouver Canucks will be without all-star goalie Thatcher Demko when they face the Nashville Predators in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.