Tanya Aguilar-Antiman has been re-elected as chief in the November 2021 elections. (Submitted photo/Armand M. FLORES PROfolio Photography)

By Angela Brown

First Nation elections

MGBHLM First Nation re-elects Chief Tanya Aguilar-Antiman

Nov 9, 2021 | 2:13 PM

It was an exciting time for Mosquito, Grizzly Bear’s Head, Lean Man (MGBHLM) this past week as the First Nation wrapped up its elections.

Tanya Aguilar-Antiman, also known as Tanya Stone, was re-elected to the position of chief with 276 votes, surpassing her five contenders. Darcy Stone came in second after receiving 139 votes, Danny Starchief 116 votes, Kelsey KJ Bird 83 votes, John Spyglass 32 votes, and Gavin Armstrong trailed with four votes.

Five councillors were also elected: Tristan Bird (incumbent) garnered 200 votes, Deborah D. Stone (incumbent) 183 votes, Sanderson (Sandy) Wahobin 175 votes, Celest (Moosomin) Sanders 172 votes, and Brad Starchief 159 votes.

A livestream of the elected chief and council’s swearing in ceremony held Monday is available via YouTube.

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Chief Aguilar-Antiman thanked everyone for their support. She attributed much of her success to being proactive and getting things done.

“I believe people recognized the progress within the Nation in the last two-and-a-half years,” she told battlefordsNOW. “Despite this global pandemic, we were able to complete many successful tasks.”

She pointed to the MGBHLM housing strategy, education, and economic development advancements.

“We never had economic development when we started. By the time we were done, we had 88 employees,” she said. “We have non-profit groups. We have an all-Nations Training Centre. We have the Wellness Centre.”

Aguilar-Antiman added it’s phenomenal to see the amount of development that’s taken place at the Ridge, the land MGBHLM purchased from the Oblate’s near the ruins of the former Battleford Industrial Residential School site south of Battleford, in 2020.

“Actions speak louder than words,” she said. “Our people can see the movement, and they appreciate it. They know that we are doing our best to move things along within our Nation, building capacity and building strength for that next generation.”

Looking ahead, Aguilar-Antiman said the Frst Nation will focus on a number of initiatives for the new term.

“The priority is definitely going to a Community Referendum for our Band Custom for the next election, that’s number one,” she said.

She noted the second priority involves the Gold Eagle Casino.

“It is a business that is on Mosquito, Grizzly Bear’s Head, Lean Man land,” Aguilar-Antiman said. “We are rightfully going to go after that headlease. This is something that is supported throughout the Nation.”

The First Nation will also focus on its housing strategy and aims to bring home 100 families in the next five to seven years.

“We’re doing a really good job at that,” she said.

The First Nation also plans to keep encouraging skills development within its people.

“[We will] continue to build that capacity and promote that wellness within our young population and throughout our Nation, to strive, promote and support each other as each and everyone accomplishes their successes,” Aguilar-Antiman said.

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow