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
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Canucks claw out 5-4 comeback win over Oilers in Game 1
Dakota Joshua had a goal and two assists and the Vancouver Canucks scored three third-period goals to claw out a 5-4 comeback victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series Wednesday.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.