(Submitted photo/Brittany St. Dennis)
MN-S Election

‘I’ve always been involved’: St. Dennis looking to take next step with MN-S as regional rep

May 5, 2021 | 8:00 AM

A Melfort woman is looking to continue representing her region with the Metis Nation Saskatchewan (MN-S).

Brittany St. Dennis is one of three nominees for Eastern Region II in the race to become the regional representative. St. Dennis has been a youth representative for the region with MN-S and adding in the fact that her father has also been the president for almost three decades, it’s in her blood to continue working with MN-S.

“I’ve always been involved,” St. Dennis told northeastNOW. “So, my culture has always been part of my life since I was a young girl.”

She said seeing the MN-S from a very young age let her see her father as a role model in the MN-S.

As a youth representative, St. Dennis said she’s been able to participate in Metis Nation Legislative Assemblies, Annual General Assemblies, Governance Training, Constitutional Reforms Consultations, and a number of conferences and workshops.

Topics of importance for St. Dennis include supporting local, grassroots people including Elders, veterans, women, and youth.

“Unifying the people,” she said. “And having transparency, accountability, and respect for one another.”

She added that economic development in the region, more educational opportunities for the grassroots people, and preserving land history are top of her mind locally. St. Dennis added that Metis housing is also of importance.

One thing St. Dennis said that she would like to see brought back, in some sort of way is the ‘culture camps’ that were hosted by Eastern Region II. She said those were something that she looked forward to during the year, and it hasn’t been happening for a number of years now.

“I really think we need to start getting back to some of those things,” St. Dennis said. “So the people have something to look forward too, have a sense of belonging, and are proud, and are happy with how things are going.”

On top of her eight years of being the youth representative for the region, St. Dennis has also been involved, either volunteering or participating, with the Melfort Youth Empowerment Centre, which has been providing programming to Metis youth.

St. Dennis said she plans to hang posters in different communities and will be doing lots through Facebook and encourages people to call her to raise concerns in the region.

Metis citizens can vote in their region at the Regional Returning Offices starting May 14 through 21 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. or at advance polls in select communities on May 22 from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m, before going to the polls on election day on May 29.

The other two nominees in Eastern Region II are Dennis Miller, and Brent Digness.

mat.barrett@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @matbarrett6

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