Shíshálh Nation Chief Calvin Craigan won’t seek another term. Instead he plans to focus on improving the health and wellness of members behind the scenes.
Craigan told Coast Reporter this week that being the chief of the shíshálh Nation for the past three years has been difficult and that he didn’t want the role to take a toll on his health going forward.
“What happened to former chiefs like Garry [Feschuk, who suffered a stroke last year], for instance, when I go and look at him, I don’t want to end up that way,” Craigan said.
“Our people are highly critical and very demanding and you’ve got to take that, and that’s got to be part of the healing.”
Craigan said he plans to take a job working with the Justice Institute in New Westminster after his term as chief ends on March 31, as he’ll graduate next month from an Aboriginal health and wellness course he’s been taking with the institute.
“They already offered me a position,” Craigan said, noting he’ll be a “helper and assistant” with the Aboriginal therapy program.
“It’s about a trauma and emotional healing [model] that is becoming worldwide actually,” Craigan said.
He wants to bring the things he’s learned back to his Nation to help at home.
“We’re never going to be able to move forward unless our people are all well and healed,” he said.
The three shíshálh Nation members who were nominated for the chief’s position at a Jan. 17 nomination meeting are former councillor Ben Pierre Jr. and current councillors Robert Joe and Warren Paull.
A long list of nominations also came forward at the meeting for the four councillor positions for the 2017-20 term.
Nominated for council were Jason Myles, Samantha Baker, Melodie Casella, incumbent councillor Chris August, Keith Julius, Carol Louie, Willard Johnson, Selina August, Alvina Paul, Corey August and Manuela Salinas.
Missing from the list among incumbent councillors is Randy Joe, who will not be seeking another term.
Craigan said he wishes all of those running “the very best.”
“I will continue to support whoever our leader is. I think Garry [Feschuk] said it before – our fight is not with each other. It should be pointed in the direction of the government who created all of the injustice,” Craigan said.
The election is scheduled for Feb. 25, with an advance poll set for Feb. 19.
