The Haida leader is looking to win enough support at the Vancouver event to take the national leadership post away from incumbent chief Perry Bellegarde.
The current leader has faced some criticism in the past for the nature of what say are chummy relations with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Not too close with Trudeau, Bellegarde insists as AFN race gets underway
Bellegarde downplays relationship with Trudeau as ANF race gets underway
AFN chief accused of being too close to Trudeau
As Richardson takes to his campaign in Vancouver, he can call on his long history in the region, serving as Past President of Haida Nation Council from 1984 to 1996, as well as from his membership with the BC Treaty Commission through the late nineties and into 2004.
He is an Officer of the Order of Canada and has stepped into the political ring before, running as a former Liberal candidate for Skeena, during the Paul Martin era, recruited by the former Finance Minister as part of his unsuccessful quest to wrestle the seat away from NDP MP Nathan Cullen in 2004.
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| Haida leader Miles Richardson is seeking the National Chief position with the Assembly of First Nations |
Interviewed for a profile piece in the publication WindSpeaker, Mr. Richardson offered up some of his beliefs on how First Nations and the Federal Government should approach the ongoing issues that they face.
“We need to regain sufficient control over our territories, over our lands and seas, our waters, over the social aspects of our lives. We need to regain sufficient control over these to be in charge of our own destiny. That’s why I’m running,” ... “I’m not a compromiser. I’m not going to compromise on that. I’m not going to give in because of the political pressures of being nice to Ottawa or funding levels or anything like that. Once our people set objectives, we’re all in on achieving them,”
Additionally he notes that he won't 'cozy up to the Trudeau government and observes that the main obstacle is how the Federal government addresses the rights of First Nations.
In the lead up to this weeks convention, Richardson, who is the only British Columbia participant in the leadership quest, has been lining up some strong support for his quest for the leadership position.
With a number of high profile First Nations representatives both nationwide and from the Northwest offering their endorsement of his efforts.
Making for a collection of names which would seem to make the Haida Nation leader a front runner should the convention choose to replace Mr. Bellegarde.
Among those also offering their support for Richardson's bid for the leadership is Chief Councillor Marilyn Slett of the Heiltsuk Nation, who notes how his life's work has been to lift the Nations in their reclamation of inherent right to self determination.
Eva Clayton President of the Nisga'a Lisims Government has also provided an endorsement of Mr. Richardson's campaign, releasing this statement of support.
More notes on the quest can be found through social media on twitter and Facebook
Along with the incumbent national Chief Perry Bellgarde, there are three other challengers for the position of National Chief.
Russell Diabo
Katherine Whitecloud
Sheila North
Delegates will select the next leader of the national organization tomorrow as part of the 39th Annual General Assembly.
Updates on the proceedings in Vancouver can be followed from livestreams available here or here
Further notes on the week in convention are available from the following links:
AFN Facebook
AFN Twitter
AFN YouTube
APTN
CBC Indigenous
More background on the AFN Assembly can be found below:
Five candidates vie for the role of AFN national chief
Assembly of First Nations National Chief in tough re-election battle
Vote for national Chief dominates agenda as AFN general assembly kicks off in Vancouver
Miles Richardson endorsed by former national chief Matthew Coon Come in Assembly of First Nations election
Miles Richardson endorsed by second former Assembly of First Nations leader in quest to become national chief
AFN candidates arrive in Vancouver for election of national chief
Russel Diabo rocks the boat in race to be national chief of the Assembly of First Nations
Assembly of First Nations to elect National Chief
AFN national chief candidates make their pitch in Yukon
AFN candidates tell Yukon First Nations to 'exert your sovereignty'
Assembly of First Nations must chart a new course, national chief hopefuls tell forum
Erasmus endorsing Miles Richardson for National Chief
AFN candidates in the Yukon for candidates forum
Assembly of First Nations prepares for leadership vote
Trudeau's undisclosed plan for Indigenous self government sets stage for next national chief
Further items related to the Federal political scene can be found on our House of Commons archive
Cross posted from the North Coast Review
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