LAC LA BICHE - On Sept. 13, the Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA) Region One office in Lac La Biche hosted a farewell party signifying the MNA’s transition into the first-ever Otipemisiwak Métis Government in the province.
The new government structure is set to take place after the week-long election process that runs from September 13-19.
Currently, the Métis Nation of Alberta is divided into six regions across the province. After the election, those regions will be replaced by 22 districts, with Lac La Biche and surrounding areas being part of District 19. St. Paul-Cold Lake will be District 12.
The positions of regional president and vice president will also be switched out with a citizen representative and captain for each district.
Throughout the afternoon, people who came to the regional wrap-up at the MNA Region 1 office were served hamburgers and hot dogs, salad, and cake and listened to speeches by MNA officials, including outgoing Region 1 president Jimmy Cardinal, who has been in office for the past five years.
Current vice-president Jason Ekeberg is running against Dwayne Roth and Jerry Ladouceur for the citizen representative for District 19.