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Lisa Meness is hoping to bring her experience to the table.
Meness is one of three people running for the position of Chief in the elections of Pikwakanagan First Nation. She says that experience and knowledge that she’s accumulated will be a benefit to the Nation. Meness was a former chief of the community in 1999-2003 and a councillor before that from 1995-1999. She says she’s also experienced in consultation and engagement, and she has engaged with First Nations across Canada on various national topics. She thinks that the same policies and principles she’s heard will be applicable to Pikwakanagan. She also says she pledges to work on behalf of the nation to secure partnerships. Above all she wants to be a voice for the community.
As Chief, Meness says there are three areas she lists as priorities for Pikwakanagan: Capacity development for the First Nation, to identify and promote the shared values and priorities, and to be a voice for the First Nation abroad. She says first and foremost she wants to engage with community members, opening up lines of communications as they come into a new era. She also wants to develop and continue mutually beneficial projects already in the works with the County of Renfrew, such as twinning with Highway 17 as well as promoting local businesses. She also wants to see more happen in terms of developing partnerships between Renfrew County and the Algonquins.
She says she feels confident that her knowledge and experience exceeds other candidates and she has a strong historical connection to the community. She says she knows of the challenges the First Nation faces on a day-to-day basis. She says that she also comes through a long line of former chiefs, and the historical connection adds to who she is as a person. She says they instilled in her a commitment and devotion to the First Nation. She says her knowledge of consultation, engagement and economic development and her experience in a leadership capacity as well as 17 years in the Band Office will add strength to her candidacy. Above all Meness says she feels confident she can represent the first nation in a strong and proud manner and is honoured to have been nominated.
Moose FM is reaching out to the candidates in this year’s election in Pikwakanagan.
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