(Submitted photo)

By Nigel Maxwell

Provincial politics

Sask Pen manager seeks to be elected Regional Director of WR2

May 8, 2025 | 3:00 PM

A man who has worked at Saskatchewan Penitentiary for over 27 years will be on the ballot in this month’s Métis-Nation Saskatchewan election

Shawn Parenteau wants to be elected Regional Director for Western Region II. It’s his first foray into politics and he told paNOW he was driven by the fact there have been a lot of people who have been in the nation for a long time, and change would be a good thing

“I know that I’m not affiliated with anybody else’s campaigns, pretty much call myself an independent and represent a new face with new ideas,” he said.

Raised in Prince Albert, Parenteau has a criminal justice diploma from Lethbridge Community College and has worked at Sask Pen for over 27 years, where he is a correctional manager in the maximum security unit.

“Due to my occupation, I have to be open and transparent and law-abiding,” he stated.

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“There’s a lot of unrest in the nation right now, we need to change that and try to get along a lot better.”

(Submitted photo)

Earlier this month, a candidates forum was held in Prince Albert and Parenteau said he was troubled by the disrespect he witnessed, noting people, while giving their platform speeches, were interrupted and told to leave the stage.

In addition to ensuring there is programming for youth and seniors, Parenteau said he is also a strong advocate of the Michif language. He recently sat in on a kindergarten class in Duck Lake where his aunt teaches and afterwards talked to the youth.

The relationship between the local region and the provincial metis council has been one of the talking points in this election, and Parenteau confirmed he is open to having a working relationship.

“We have to start somewhere and have partnerships in every aspect of life that we have.”

The MN-S election is on May 24. Also running for regional director are Lynn Regnier and Sherry McLennan.

There are five candidates running for MN-S President: Kevin Henry, Bonnie Marwood, Glen McCallum, Lisa McCallum and Naz Chalifou.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Blue Sky: @nigelmaxwell.bsky.social