The New Democratic Party has selected former Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief Cameron Alexis of the Alexis Nakota-Sioux First Nation to represent them in the Peace River-Westlock riding this election.
“It’s time for change, and I’m very confident the job can be done,” said Alexis. “As a First Nations candidate I believe I can help bridge gaps between all the people of Canada.”
He said he was motivated to run in part because he disagrees with how the Conservative party had been running the country.
“After 10 years of Stephen Harper’s rule, I think we need to move on to a different government,” said Alexis.
“There were numerous bills passed by Stephen Harper and his colleagues that we didn’t agree with ... It’s been attested to many times that we as First Nations need to get involved, so I’m getting involved.”
Alexis, who hails from Mayerthorpe originally, completed his stint as regional chief on June 31. He has also served as Grand Chief of Treaty 6, which oversees 18 distinct nations, and has 23 years with the RCMP under his belt, working in Mayerthorpe for four years and Peace River for two and a half years.
He also was the RCMP’s program director for the Calgary Stampede from 1993 to 1997, and was Chief of Police for Kee Tas Kee Now Police Services from 1998 to 2000.
He serves as Director of the Alberta Indian Investment Corporation in Edmonton. He has appeared as a speaker before the House of Commons, the Senate and the United Nations.
Alexis said he decided to run under the NDP banner after being impressed by the level of attention given to aboriginal affairs by both the current and previous leaders.
“When we went to Assembly of First Nations gatherings across this country, Jack Layton was always sitting in the gallery,” he said. “Sadly he passed on, but Thomas Mulcair took over and he always participated and supported indigenous positions.”
He added that he agreed with the NDP’s position on several key files. “The NDP is willing to work with indigenous peoples on murdered and missing aboriginal women, of which I held the portfolio for two and a half years,” he said. “I also support the NDP’s position on Bill C-51, which was passed very rapidly through the House of Commons.”
Stewardship of the environment is also high on his list of priorities. “We all have to live here, so we need to have a balanced approach,” he said.
Alexis added he would like to see more jobs created for Canada’s middle class and to make child care more affordable. “As a former chief I’ve seen many places where child care is very difficult for a lot of families.”
He also mentioned he would push to roll back Old Age Pensions to age 65 from the current age of 67.
