SADDLE LAKE - A newly elected council was officially inaugurated and honoured prior to Friday’s grand entry at the Saddle Lake Cree Nation Pow Wow.
Just days prior, Terry Cardinal was elected as the new chief for the First Nations community. One week earlier, Kevin Delver, Charles Cardinal, Glen Whiskeyjack, John Large, Eric Shirt, Mary-Jane Cardinal, James Steinhauer, and Pauline Hunter were also elected to serve on Saddle Lake council.
Returning to council are Large, Steinhauer, and Shirt.
Shirt had been elected as chief during the last election and will now be serving his first term as councillor.
Large was elected to his fourth term on council.
Prior to the election for chief, Terry also received the most votes during the election for council. He has previously served on council, elected in 2013, and is now a first-time chief.
On Friday evening, Clifford Cardinal announced council members as they made their way into the powwow arbour, along with their families. A ceremony to officially welcome the council, which included Elders and drummers, concluded just ahead of the weekend celebrations officially kicking off.
Hundreds of dancers, along with a number of drumming groups, from across Turtle Island danced throughout the weekend, with grand entries taking place Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
