John P. Roberts was a long-time councillor for the Lac La Ronge Indian Band. (Submitted photo/John P. Roberts)

By Derek Cornet

band election

Priorities for Roberts includes adding new LLRIB urban councillors, speeding up cows and plows claim

Mar 23, 2023 | 3:55 PM

A Lac La Ronge Indian Band (LLRIB) councillor since 2008, John P. Roberts believes now is the time for a change in leadership.

“I decided to run to try and make positive changes,” he said. “I think people want change in leadership and I have been a councillor for 15 years, so I sacrificed my position of councillor to run for Chief. If you want to make changes with leadership, now is the time.”

Roberts has many new ideas he’d like to propose if he’s successful in his campaign for Chief. For instance, he’d like to increase the number of councillors from the current number of 12. He noted off-reserve band members have been neglected and members living in places such as Prince Albert, Saskatoon, Pinehouse Lake and Brabant Lake should have a voice at the council table.

Roberts would also like to pressure the federal government to increase the Treaty annuity payment of $5, speed up the Teaty 6 Agricultural Benefits Specific Claim, otherwise known as cows and plows, and to build a water treatment plant in Little Red.

“Little Red doesn’t have a water treatment plant and I would like to help them out with that and push the government really hard,” he said.

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Establishing a transportation service from LLRIB communities to cities such as Prince Albert and Saskatoon would also be a priority for Roberts. He explained the cost of living in northern Saskatchewan is high and a transportation service could bring down the cost of groceries and other products. Many members are stuck paying higher prices because they don’t have access to a personal vehicle.

Roberts would like the LLRIB to move away from the Indian Act and begin passing more band laws and pursue self-government. He would like to maintain Treaty rights to hunt, fish, gather, education and health. He wants to advocate to the federal government to provide more funding to build on-reserve housing.

“When I was a councillor, I always provided traditional food to our Elders and the people who can’t provide for themselves,” Roberts said.

“I enjoy the great outdoors very much. That’s how I was brought up. I was brought up as a trapper, hunter, community provider. My parents were always traditional food providers. I like taking young people out on the land to teach them life skills like hunting and fishing.”

Roberts mentioned he’s a residential school survivor and he takes those kind of issues very seriously. He also noted he’s a musician, who plays the guitar, keyboard and sings as well.

The Lac La Ronge Indian Band general election is March 30.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno