(Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Muskoday votes

Muskoday candidate promises responsible financial management

Feb 27, 2019 | 5:00 PM

A woman who has helped manage Muskoday First Nation for the better part of seven years, has decided to run for chief.

Sandy Burns is one of three candidates vying for the position on the March 21 election date. She told paNOW the decision to run was something that had crossed her mind about a month ago.

“I wasn’t really serious about it right away and then I thought ‘yes I’m going to do this’, it’s sort of my one last job I would like to do which is serving the community,”‘ she said.

In addition to her work for the band, Burns also worked for Indian and Northern Affairs Canada for eight years, and was a health director at One Arrow First Nation. She said she feels her financial management experience would be a good asset if she was to be elected chief and separates her from her opponents.

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“Right now there are policies and procedures in place that the governing body has to follow but I would make sure that these policies and procedures are being followed the way they were meant to be followed,” she said.

A facebook group called “Committee to Elect Sandra Burns for Chief of Muskoday First Nation,” has received some support. (Facebook)

A common issue among all three candidates has been the issue of gangs and crime on the reserve. Burns said she too would try to address it.

“The crime in the community here has been on the increase and I know it’s to the point where some of our band members feel unsafe,” she said, adding she feels the increase in gun violence and assaults is arising from drug and alcohol abuse.

Muskoday First Nation Council has looked at the possibility of creating a more localized police force. Burns said she would support that initiative. When asked why band members should ultimately vote for her, Burns replied she is a stable, honest and trustworthy candidate.

“I do have experience in managing and that’s what a good chief and council should be doing,” she said.

The election has been scheduled to take place March 21. The other two candidates for chief are Herman Crain and Sandi LeBoeuf. There are also 13 people vying for the five council seats.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell