Athabasca Vice-Chief focused on policing and reducing energy costs for families

“It’s not like everyday we are trying to build a new police force so that is something new for us and for sure there’s going to be growing pains if it does happen, we will learn from it,” he said.

The consultation period is expected to continue for another 17 months, at which time the report will be shared with the member communities and leadership, and a decision will be made with respect to what to do next.

Noting challenges related to securing funding from various levels of government, as well as recruiting officers, Tsannie also stated the importance of working with the RCMP.

“The RCMP will always there and with some of the technical support we may need moving forward, we hope that they continue to be there and provide that support to us as a true partner working side by side,” he said.

A picture of Tsannie in 2021 when he was re-elected to a third term. (Facebook/ Prince Albert Grand Council)

Cost of living

Another big issue for Tsannie is the high cost of living faced by families living in northern Saskatchewan. That’s the reason why he has pledged to develop a strategy to lower energy costs and in doing so take a thorough look at what infrastructure is already in place, and just why costs are so high.

“My goal is to at least, hopefully, to reduce the cost of energy by 50 per cent,” he said.

Noting the technology is available, Tsannie said there may be options that are unique for each community.

TB outbreak

Tsannie expressed both his alarm and concern that even in 2024, tuberculosis is still a big concern in many northern communities. He said the challenge has a direct relationship to the lack of housing and overcrowding in homes.

“Three bedroom homes with one bathroom and we have 10 people living in there,” he said.

Success stories

When first elected in 2012, one of the first tasks Tsannie embarked on was the clean up of the Gunner mine site near Uranium City. The work is expected to wrap up this year.

After the mine was shut down in the early 1960’s, it was essentially just abandoned. Over $300 million has been invested to clean it up.

“We shut down the contaminants from flowing into Lake Athabasca, impacting the fish and the food we eat,” he said.

Another project that’s been high on Tsannie’s project list has been the all weather road at Hatchet Lake. Tsannie hopes to see it open in time for Christmas next year.

Tsannie was part of a tour of nothern Saskatchewan last September. (Facebook/Gary Vidal)

Talks with the federal and provincial levels of government have been ongoing for nearly 30 years, but it wasn’t until 2020 when construction would finally start. Tsannie recalled how it was it was his own father, who was Chief at the time the project was first discussed.

“I remember the design where the road was gonna go. He would show me this is the route,” Tsannie said.

Tsannie’s father passed away in 2012, but there’s no doubt he would be proud of the work his son will complete.

Noting the economic opportunities the all weather road will create, Tsannie cited the fish plant that could move its product south.

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell

by Nigel Maxwell

Athabasca Vice-Chief focused on policing and reducing energy costs for families

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