The recently elected Chief of the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation Greg Nadjiwon says he has a few priorities for the upcoming term of council.
Nadjiwon, who will be sworn in on Aug. 8, says he made his return to run for council after a two year hiatus, gaining more votes than incumbent Veronica Smith on Aug. 4. He was chief from 2015 to 2021.
“I knew the election was going to be a close one,” says Nadjiwon. “I am glad that I came out on top and congratulate the chief for the years she served the community.”
He says some of his priorities moving forward into the new term will be to address the current State of Emergency issued by the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation on June 26 regarding opioids.
“It’s an issue from coast to coast. It is not just in Indigenous communities it’s municipalities like Owen Sound, Hanover, Kincardine you name them it’s serious,” says Nadjiwon.
He says there is a need for more treatment centres and more health care professionals to help those who have been impacted by opioids.
“We have to nip it in the bud, we have to work hard to make sure people who are asking for help get that help,” says Nadjiwon.
“I am really going to dig in on economic activities. I will bring up in the first hours of the chief and council to put a super station or mall on land we purchased on the south hill in Georgian Bluffs just on the boundary of Bruce. I have been working at that since we purchased the property and it was for the purpose of business development,” says Nadjiwon.
He adds he is also looking at the installation of electric vehicle chargers as well as a craft shop owned and operated First Nations as there is currently none in the territory.
“There are craft shops but they are not owned or operated by First Nations. I would like to see that change where we show crafts made by our people,” says Nadjiwon. “There is so much we can do and are going to do.”
The swearing-in ceremony will be held at Cape Croker Park on Aug. 8 at 10 a.m.
He adds the Saugeen First Nation 50th Annual Pow Wow will be held next weekend on Aug. 12 and 13 at The James Mason Memorial Cultural Centre, with the Chippewas of Nawash 37th Annual Traditional Pow Wow taking place the following weekend from Aug. 18 to the 20 at Cape Croker Park.
