Northern First Nations leading way for Ontario: Stan Beardy

The issues and opportunities facing communities in northern Ontario should guide all Ontario First Nations over the coming years, says Ontario regional chief candidate Stan Beardy.
Beardy, the current Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) grand chief, says that his perspective being from the North gives him a good understanding of how First Nations across the province can use northern examples and initiatives as a way forward.
“When you look at today’s scenarios in terms of economics, the NAN territory and northern Ontario in general is where the greatest opportunities are in terms of resource extraction,” Beardy says. “At the same time you talk about the lack of budgets, social services cutbacks and the lack of capital infrastructure, we’re the ones with the biggest challenges.”
In Beardy’s view, legislation is needed at the Ontario government level to ensure that First Nations see real benefits in terms of revenue sharing from the resource boom in the North.
He argues that the North’s incredible resource wealth, mostly located on First Nations territory, gives First Nation people leverage to create a new relationship with the province.
“Using the North and its rich natural resources, and applying that to leverage the unique needs of all of Ontario, that would benefit everybody,” Beardy says.
He also talks of bringing northern and southern First Nations together to develop the North. He wants to see southern First Nation companies working in the North, training northerners and helping all Ontario First Nations realize the benefits of the resource boom in northern Ontario.
Beardy announced his candidacy for Ontario regional chief on May 13. He is challenging the incumbent, Angus Toulouse of Sagamok Anishinawbek First Nation, a community located on the north shore of Lake Huron.
The election takes place during the three-day All Ontario Chiefs Conference, from June 26 to 28 in Toronto.The Ontario regional is elected in the traditional way, with each community chief standing behind the candidate of his or her choice.