LAKELAND - Two residents from the St. Paul-Cold Lake region have put their names forward as Citizens' Representative candidates in the election for the first-ever Otipemisiwak Métis Government, which is set for Sept. 13-19.
Karen Collins
Citizens’ Representative candidate Karen Collins of Elizabeth Métis Settlement, who is running in District 12, considers herself to be a nation builder, always at the ready to contribute knowledge, skills, and abilities in service to her community. Collins, who has served as a Commissioner of Oaths in the Province of Alberta since 1995, has also been very active in Métis politics, having served as president of Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA) Region 1 from 2002-2018.
“I have 16 years of experience as a member of the Provincial Council and during that time, I held significant ministerial responsibilities, including co-minister for Métis Rights and Accommodation,” she said. “Serving in a leadership role was awesome. Every day, people brought forward issues and concerns to be addressed. During that time, I also built relationships with industry and indigenous communities throughout this region.”
Collins also served as a member of the Métis Nation of Alberta Constitution Commission, helping to develop the approved Otipemisiwak Métis Government Constitution, which will be put into place after the election on Sept. 19.
Collins’ commitment to the Métis people and culture extends beyond professional engagements. She has acted as a resource person in schools and youth workshops, informing others about the ongoing progress made by the Métis Nation within Alberta.
“Our rights and interests must remain at the forefront of all levels of government, which means influencing policies, programs and services that respect our unique cultural identity,” she stated.
During her campaign, Collins has focused on addressing crucial matters such as education, child and family services, the justice system, but also harvesting, trapping, and land issues.
“Fixing problems in our society requires a community effort. If elected to office, I intend to work closely with MNA affiliates such as the Métis Urban Housing Corporation and Métis Child and Family Services to address issues in our community,” Collins explained. “I recently met with the MLA for this area, who spoke of building a treatment center for mental health and addictions, which is an initiative I wholeheartedly support.”
Collins said her campaign has been going well.
“I cherish our history, languages, culture, and traditions, which form the bedrock of our distinct, resilient, and vibrant identity as an Aboriginal people with inherent Indigenous rights,” she stated.
“If elected, I believe that I will be an asset to the new citizens’ council and am well-equipped to represent and uphold the rights and interests of Métis citizens in the St. Paul Cold Lake District.”
Tanya Shaw
Citizen Representative candidate Tanya Shaw of St. Paul is originally from Fishing Lake Métis Settlement and has “always been part of the Métis Nation. I’m still a member there.” Her late grandfather, Walter Anderson “was very political. He was always for the Métis people and was very concerned that there was nothing for the youth there. I grew up with him being part of the general council, but he always said, ‘Don’t get into politics. Learn their policies and use them to help the people,’ and now, we’re here.”
Shaw’s journey has taken her to Blue Quills University, where she studied for the first four years before completing her degree in Calgary. She is now the social work instructor and practicum coordinator at the school.
Training that included leadership and human services led to her focus on the ongoing need for help for families, those suffering from addiction and other family services. Some of those are covered under Bill C92, passed by the Canadian government in June 2019,which recognizes and respects the right of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people to take care of their own children and to support improvement of child and family services.
“Good things are coming,” she said, “and when I was approached to step forward, I decided to do so.”
Asking, “What is it going to look like?” Shaw says, “That will be up to the citizens of District 12. We need to capture the voice of the people.”
The wife and mother of three, grandmother of two says she “never thought I’d be in a leadership role, but I had a lot of mentors. There were so many people in my journey, so many I’m grateful for, and part of our journey is to share with others. I want to walk the journey with these people. It’s such a proud time for our Nation.”
