Outspoken Mathias Colomb Cree Nation Chief Arlen Dumas is taking aim at mining profits in his bid to become grand chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC).
Dumas, chief of the Pukatawagan-based band, is among five candidates vying to fill the provincial role. Manitoba chiefs are scheduled to elect a new AMC grand chief on Wednesday, July 19.
“Why do we allow our governments to acquiesce to such massive benefits to industry and not provide properly for our people in this country?” he said. “Why do we allow such massive multimillion benefits to corporations when you should be providing those necessities and facilitating those things for our people? I as a Canadian, I as a Manitoban, I as a First Nation person do not care if Hudbay does not give its shareholders a profit margin every year. I do not care if [nickel miner] Vale [in Thompson] is unable to give its profits to its shareholders, but I care when our natural resources are not being used to provide houses and running water and proper schools and proper facilities to our people in Manitoba and Canada.”
Dumas became known throughout the region in 2013 when he helped lead protests against Hudbay’s Lalor and Reed operations. He argued the mines were illegal because they were operating on traditional land without the band’s permission.
The government did not side with the protestors. Hudbay took the matter to court and won an injunction to end the protests.
Also in the running for AMC grand chief are David Kobliski, Sharon Mason, Craig Blacksmith and Garry McLean. Current grand chief Derek Nepinak is not seeking reelection.
– With files from the Thompson Citizen
