FORT WILLIAM FIRST NATION, Ont. – Voters in Fort William First Nation will have two choices to decide who will lead their community for an unprecedented term.
The chief's race will have two names on the ballot with incumbent Peter Collins facing challenger Bonnie Pelletier in this month’s election.
Seeking his 10th-term leading the community after serving from 1998 to 2013, and then again since 2015, Collins said he brings a voice of experience.
“I think I’ve made a lot of headway with different levels of government, from the (Prime Minister’s) Office to the Premier’s Office to all levels,” Collins said. “I speak across Canada on behalf of our community and I represent our community strongly.”
Collins said the Supreme Court of Canada’s recent decision on the James Street Swing Bridge that likely brings that legal saga to an end, and the settlement with the federal government over the 1905 appropriation of traditional community land, are two major items that he has been able to check off his list in recent years.
But the long-time chief sees more work ahead, specifically on economic development and tackling opioid addiction in the community.
Pelletier, who has spent more than 20 years in southern Ontario as a lawyer after initially working as a nurse in Thunder Bay, has recently returned and said she wants to make a difference.
“I decided to move home and come back to the community and I wanted to give back to my community in a meaningful way and be part of a solution,” Pelletier said. “I wanted to repair the accountability and trust within Fort William First Nation.”
Pelletier said financial accountability and transparency are the main issues that are facing Fort William First Nation.
“I think the information sharing is the biggest concern I have,” Pelletier said, pointing to recent land claim appropriation settlements.
“A lot of people are wondering where the money is being spent, who’s accountable for it and do we have the proper access to the financial reports and are they timely and accurate.”
Having a sustainable economy, better service delivery and programs for the youth and elders are other priorities, Pelletier said.
The next chief and council will be given a four-year mandate, doubling the two-year terms that had been previously served.
Both believe the increased term length will lead to more effective governance. Collins expects it will make a difference particularly with first-time elected officials, who they will have more time to grow into their roles.
“It’s a very important election for our community because it is a four-year term,” Collins said. “You have locked in your leadership for four years and give them that mandate to produce a strong economy, dealing with the opioid addictions and dealing with policing in our community.”
A field of 55 candidates are vying for the 12 available council positions.
The election will be held on April 15.
Candidates for chief
- Peter W. Collins
- Bonnie Blossom Pelletier
Candidates for council
- Cindy Bannon
- Gerald (Ton) Bannon
- Leo Bannon Jr.
- Leo L. (Jiggs) Bannon
- Martin Andrew Bannon Sr.
- Shawn Bannon
- Sheldon (Shezzy) Bannon
- Stephen Bannon Sr.
- Walter Bannon
- Dwight Boucher
- Valerie Chapman
- Jennelle Charlie
- Roy A. Charlie
- Anthony (Tony) Collins
- Cherylee (Cher) Collins
- Ed (Thumper) Collins
- Patricia (Louise) Collins
- Patrick Collins
- Steven Collins Jr.
- Parker Crews
- Johnny Decourte
- Leo A. Desmoulin
- Rita May (Toto) Fenton
- Shane (Bundy) Fournier
- Yvette A. Greenwald
- Tannis Kastern
- Claudia Mary Legarde
- Percy F. Legarde
- Sarah (Morriseau) Levesque
- Brian Ludwigsen
- Chris MacLaurin
- Kyle MacLaurin
- Monty MacLaurin
- Stephanie MacLaurin
- Jacob McKay
- Catherine McKenzie (Pelletier)
- Bailey Meawasige
- Brandy (Bannon) Morris
- Desiree Morriseau-Shields
- Paul Morriseau
- Vernon Ogima
- Danielle M. Pelletier
- Janelle Pelletier
- Leonard Pelletier
- Murray F. Pelletier
- Philip Pelletier
- Rob Pelletier
- Rory Pelletier
- Sherry Lynn Pelletier
- Todd Pelletier
- Rick "Chemik" Saarinen (MacLaurin)
- Michele B. (Johnson) Solomon
- Philip Benedict (Benny) Solomon
- Timmy Solomon
- Savannah Upton
