Cree politician aims for federal NDP leadership

Quebec MP Romeo Saganash decided to run for leadership of the federal New Democratic Party to continue the path set by former leader Jack Layton.
“I thought to myself, if I’m not going to get there without him, at least I want to continue his walk, his journey towards a better Canada where everyone is included,” said the James Bay Cree federal politician. “I’m looking forward to travelling across the country in this leadership race. The candidates announced so far demonstrate the true quality and strength that we have in the party.”
Saganash worked in environmental law, international law, human rights and Aboriginal law before being elected to Parliament in the May 2011 federal election in the Abitibi-Baie James-Nunavik-Eeyou riding in northern Quebec.
Fluent in Cree, English and French, Saganash worked with the Grand Council of the Crees for 20 years and also served as deputy grand chief of the Grand Council of the Crees.
Saganash feels his international and environmental experience would be a benefit for the country.
“I’ve negotiated over the last 25 years many agreements and treaties on behalf of the Cree,” Saganash said. “Negotiating treaty is like bringing people together with Aboriginal peoples and that is what I intend to continue to do.”
Saganash wants to demonstrate to Canadians that people working together and agreeing with each other is the way to go.
“That slogan we had in the last election, working together, is still relevant today,” he said. “And especially for the future, and that is what I want to work for.”
Saganash, who is likely the first person from a First Nation to run for the leadership of a major federal political party, has received encouragement from a number of people, including National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo of the Assembly of First Nations, Deputy Grand Chief Ashley Iserhoff of the Grand Council of the Crees and his mother.
“It takes a lot of courage, it takes a lot of stamina as well,” Saganash said. “It’s going to be a long marathon. I’m up for the challenge. I’m in great shape and I’m enthusiastic about this.”
Saganash finds the NDP leadership selection process exciting and is looking forward to meeting people all across the country.
“The membership drive that we need to do, not only in Quebec but elsewhere around the country is an important challenge for all candidates,” Saganash said. “I’m relatively well-known in Quebec but not that well outside the province.”
Saganash said he likes challenges, noting the NDP only received 8.2 per cent of the vote in the previous federal election, but he won with 44.79 per cent of the vote in May.
“Romeo Saganash may not be that well known across the country, but hey, I’m an NDP person and I’m used to being an underdog,” he said.
Saganash said it was difficult for him when Layton passed away in August, noting Layton had encouraged him over the winter to run in the last federal election.
“It is very difficult for anyone to lose a friend, especially a good friend like Jack,”
Saganash said. “It was very difficult for many of us because he was a true friend to us and a true inspiration for all of us, not just the party members but also all Canadians, as we witnessed during the days of his funeral.”