New blood for the PA Grand Council

New Prince Albert Grand Council Vice Chief Chris Jobb, at right, with outgoing Vice Chief Brian Hardlotte. © Arthur White-Crummey/Daily Herald

Delegates elected Chris Jobb vice chief of the Prince Albert Grand Council in a nail-biter vote. He hopes to tackle addictions and suicide in member communities.

The Prince Albert Grand Council elected a new vice chief Tuesday, as Chris Jobb defeated incumbent Brian Hardlotte 129 to 114 on the second ballot.

The first ballot, which also included third-place finisher Walter Constant of the James Smith First Nation, saw Jobb miss the 50 per cent threshold by less than one percent, sending the 244 delegates back to the polls.

The election brought together representatives – elders, chiefs and councillors – from the 12 First Nations that make up the Prince Albert Grand Council. Tuesday’s Annual General Assembly also included a pipe ceremony and a grand entrance for the assembled chiefs and elders.

Jobb said his main concern is to tackle the twin afflictions of suicide and addiction in the council’s member communities. He wants Grand Council programs to take a more proactive approach in combatting them and in addressing other challenges, such as gang activity.

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