A group of elders and community members called ‘Mamawhiatoskehk’ will initiate the development of a process to create a governance committee which will develop a government for the Kelly Lake Community.
‘Mamawhiatoskehk’ is Cree for ‘Working Together’.
Kelly Lake First Nation has about 400 members, including those that live within the surrounding areas including Dawson Creek and Grande Prairie.
The Nikihk Management and Community Development Society (Nikihk) has worked to bring infrastructure and services to the community for the past four years but this work has been frustrated by the absence of a central government representing Kelly Lake.
To move Kelly Lake forward, community members have asked Nikihk to launch a process to establish a government for Kelly Lake.
On Saturday June 10, Nikihk convened a large gathering where community members discussed the process to move towards forming a government for Kelly Lake, voted to approve the process, and formally established Mamawihatoskehk as a Working Group to initiate this community-led process.
“We have worked hard to bring infrastructure and services to Kelly Lake, and without a central government we continue to miss opportunities and meet barriers and roadblocks. Our Elders and community members want to change this. They want a governance model for our community that will unite us and allow for a vibrant, sustainable future for our members and our community,” said Michelle Calliou Nikihk President.
“Our community needs a government to assert and protect our Indigenous rights. Our Mamawihatoskehk will begin work immediately to develop a process to move governance forward. Once the proposed process is developed it will be shared with community members for support and approval,” said Nikihk Vice President Norman Calliou.
“We know this is a lot of ask of our Elders and Mamawihatoskehk members, but they have assured us during the Community Gathering on Saturday that they are up to the task and ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work for a better future for our community.”
