By Colton Swiderski

Meet Flying Dust First Nation’s band councillor election newcomers

Nov 13, 2016 | 3:00 PM

The Flying Dust First Nation band council election is less than a month away. 

MeadowlakeNOW spoke to the six newcomer candidates this election. 

Former professional hockey player Jon Mirasty is seeking a seat on council. He said he gained professional knowledge and experience through his travels and visits to many different First Nation communities. 

He also opened the areas first Tim Horton’s, which was sold roughly six months after opening. 

“After a few months of operating the business, I realized I wanted to return to my passion of helping our youth,” Mirasty said. “I want to take this opportunity to make a positive difference in our community, and particularly with our youth.” 

Banjo Bowl Blues

Riders winless streak increases to 7, late INT seals loss to Bombers

Sep 07, 2024

Sask Rivers - What's on Your Mind

Sep 07, 2024

Riderville

The Trolls are Out This Week

Sep 07, 2024

—

Flying Dust community planner Oneill Gladue said he wants to focus on building their economy by supporting local business and helping Elders and youth.

He’s also helped other First Nation’s with their community planning. 

—

Judy Bear is running on the campaign slogan “Let’s make Flying Dust great again” for her first council attempt.

Born and raised on the Flying Dust First Nation, Bear left in 1984 to pursue an education degree. Upon completion, she taught in various First Nation’s. Since 1994, she’s worked on and off for Meadow Lake Tribal Council in both the education and economic development departments.

Also, she’s worked for Flying Dust as a community planner and spearheaded a key projects in the community such as the walking trail and community garden.

Over her life, Bear has served on the justice, education and housing committees which have “provided me with the experience and knowledge on how programs work within the office,” she said.

— 

Working for Flying Dust First Nation as a post-secondary co-ordinator, community school co-ordinator, justice co-ordinator, as well as a youth and recreation worker, Connie Derocher is also seeking election to Flying Dust band council.

Derocher said she would make a strong candidate given her background and proven work ethic. 

If elected, listening to community concerns, sharing her knowledge and ideas and learning from the Elders is included in her approach to advocate for the community and their needs.

She added she wants to bolster communication in the band, whether that be through home visits, band meetings, board meetings, newsletters or social media. 

—

Logger Melvin Gladue wants to improve Treaty Day festivities by including more cultural activities and expanding to two days. 

He said he wants to also improve Flying Dust’s emergency preparedness plan to touch on how they’ll deal with frequent power outages.

—

An electrician for Flying Dust First Nation and fluent in Cree language, Lawrence Bear said his intentions are to work with the elderly and the youth if elected.

“I believe we need to make sure our youth have the chance to learn their language,” he said. 

—

Three incumbents are running for council. You can find their profiles here.

Jeremy Norman is Flying dust’s newly acclaimed Chief. 

Band members vote on Dec. 5 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Flying Dust Gymnasium. Mail-in ballots are also accepted and can be picked up at the administration office.

Colton Swiderski is meadowlakeNOw’s municipal affairs, crime and court, health and education reporter. He can be reached at cswiderski@jpbg.ca or tweet him @coltonswiderski.