 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|||
 |
|||
|
Grand Chief Stan Beardy, Nishnawbe Aski Nation, Ontario Stan Beardy’s varied and extensive career provides him with the perspective to consider issues from all points of view. Stan Beardy was born and raised on a trap line at Bearskin Lake. He attended high school in Thunder Bay and later attended Confederation College where he achieved journeymen status as a welder-fitter. He worked as a Welder in Winnipeg and Thunder Bay, and a Heavy Equipment Operator and Welder. After working in welding for a number of years, Stan decided to return to a traditional lifestyle of living off the land and moved to Muskrat Dam First Nation. In 1979, he became Chief of the Muskrat Dam First Nation, a position he held for 10 years. He again served as Chief of the Muskrat Dam First Nation from 1993 to 1998 and Senior Manager, government relations, for IFNA Engineers in Sioux Lookout, Ontario until August 1999. Stan has also served as Chair, Council, and Board member for various groups and organizations, including the Northern Ontario Native Tourism Association, Sioux Lookout Chief’s Committee on Health, Northern Nishnawbe Education Council, and National Aboriginal Economic Development Board. August 2006 marks Stan’s third consecutive term as Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief. Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) is an Aboriginal political organization representing 49 First Nation communities within James Bay Treaty 9 territory and the Ontario portions of Treaty 5. NAN territory covers two-thirds of the province of Ontario. NAN’s elected Executive Council (Grand Chief and three Deputy Grand Chiefs), together with individual NAN First Nation Chiefs, advocate on behalf of the people and communities of Nishnawbe Aski to ensure a better quality of life. As Grand Chief, Stan is an active participant in economic and organizational development, promoting self-determination in the fields of health, education, employment, tourism and Aboriginal business. In April 2007, the Ontario Minister Responsible for Aboriginal Affairs and Grand Chief Stan Beardy of Nishnawbe Aski Nation signed a Letter of Political Agreement between Ontario and Nishnawbe Aski First Nations. NAN First Nations and Ontario have agreed to work on three priorities: the development of a Memorandum of Agreement between the Ministry of Natural Resources and NAN to implement the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act in NAN territory; development of a notification protocol for Ministry of Natural Resources licences and permits for resource development activities; and to discuss land use planning, including approaches for balancing traditional and non-traditional activities for NAN First Nations both in the far north and southern parts of NAN. Stan Beardy’s efforts on behalf of Aboriginal entrepreneurs have been recognized locally. In 1998, the Muskrat Dam First Nation named him Person of the Year. In 1996, he was awarded the Executive of the Year Award from the Nishnawbe Aski Nation and the Business of the Year Aware from the Two River-Knife Lake Camp. Grand Chief Beardy is the President and shareholder of Two River-Knife Lake Camp. Stan returns to the land as often as he can. He currently lives in Thunder Bay with his wife Nellie.
|
|||
 |
        |
 |
|
