Sandy Lake’s new chief says education, housing top priorities for term

Newly elected Sandy Lake Chief Bart Meekis is looking to improve education and housing in his community.
“We want to become leaders in education, past the provincial level,” said Meekis, who won the election with 579 votes, 408 votes more than the next candidate. “We need to do something about our housing. Every year the demand is growing and growing and our allocation for houses seems to be getting smaller and smaller. We need our young people to have adequate housing.”
Meekis served as deputy chief for the past two terms as well as head councillor and councillor during previous terms.
“I worked under three chiefs and some of the deputy chiefs that were here,” Meekis said. “I learned a lot from those past leaders. It’s almost like I was being taught how to be chief. The most important thing is to love your people, to have that desire to help your people.”
Deputy Chief Robert Kakegamic was elected with 599 votes, 441 votes more than the next candidate. He served as a councillor in the previous term.
The other seven previous councillors were re-elected, with Fabian Crowe receiving 615 votes, Joe Kakegamic 576 votes, Russell Kakepetum 532 votes, Allan Rae 486 votes, Dennis Kakegamic 485 votes, Rusty Fiddler 458 votes and Harvey Kakegamic 415 votes.
Coun. Wayne Kakepetum was newly elected with 414 votes.