Platforms of MN-S Secretary candidates
- EFN Staff | May 23, 2017
As part of its MN-S Election coverage, Eagle Feather News contacted each candidate running for the positions of Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President, and President. Each candidate was given an opportunity to submit a photo and respond to the same questions. Below are their unedited answers.
Secretary candidates are:
- Tammy Louise Mah-Fiddler,
- Lisa McCallum,
- and Ashley Norton.
Ashley Norton
What is the role of the Secretary for the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan?
The role of the MN-S Secretary is to assist the executive members with constitutional structure. Ensure communication of minutes to the PMC and other meetings are posted in a central and accessible location for all Metis citizens to access. Assist the Regions with Locals on incorporation and governance structures.
What skills, qualifications, or background do you have that qualify you for the role of Secretary of the Métis Nation – Saskatchewan?
I personally have 17 years experience on community boards at a grassroots level. I have been born and raised within both the Metis Nation and Friendship Center Movements. I have been involved in many boards on local, provincial and national levels. I am known as a cultural ambassador in my community, therefor I have been the Metis voice on many of these boards, on advisory committees, in and performing arts projects. I offer a new generation of leadership, one with a open mind and eagerness for forward thinking.
What do you see as the top 3 priorities of the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan today?
Re-building the MN-S from within, we need to strengthen the constitution, define clear roles of all executive members, roles committees, and roles of portfolio holders.
Unify the Metis citizens through a communications strategy that speaks to all Metis people who wish to be engaged and informed.
To Support Regional development, economic development, education and on-going projects for all Metis people, especially for our youth and elders. This would include working with the locals to strengthen membership participation in communities and within their respected regions.
What would be your first priority for the Registry of the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan?
First priority of the Registry would be to allocate funds to open an office accessible to all Metis citizens. Promote to hire qualified staff, and promote the importance of the registry . We need to encourage citizen registry through offices set up in different parts of the province so everyone has a chance to access the registry process and are supported through the registry process.
How will you engage at the Regional/Local levels?
I would engage people through a communications strategy for regional and local levels. This would include face to face meetings, the use of social media like twitter and Facebook, a webpage, and a quarterly newsletter. Information needs to be available to Metis citizens looking to join a local, the support needs to go both ways in forms of membership to grow numbers as well as members need to see benefits and be actively engaged from their locals and the regions.
How will you create unity within the Nation?
I would assist to create unity in the nation by bringing a new generation of leadership to the PMC. I have a open mind, let's leave the past in the past and move forward on important issues that will advance the Metis in Saskatchewan for the next generations to benefit and be proud of. Let's walk forward in leadership with our ancestors and leaders who have fought and dedicated their lives for the advancement of Metis rights!