Romeo Saganash

Romeo Saganash
MP
Saganash speaking to the 2011 convention of the New Democratic Party in Vancouver, British Colombia
Member of the House of Commons of Canada
Incumbent
Assumed office
May 30, 2011
Preceded by Yvon Lévesque
Constituency Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou
Deputy Grand Chief of the Grand Council of the Crees
In office
1990 – 1993[1]
Grand Chief Ted Moses
Personal details
Born October 28, 1961 (1961-10-28) (age 50)
Waswanipi, Quebec, Canada
Political party New Democratic Party
Residence Quebec City
Alma mater Université du Québec à Montréal
Profession Lawyer
Website www.saganash.ca

Diom Romeo Saganash,[2] MP (born October 28, 1961 in Waswanipi, Quebec) is a Canadian politician and the Member of Parliament for the Quebec riding of Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou.[3] He is a member of the New Democratic Party and was first elected in the 2011 federal election, succeeding Yvon Lévesque of the Bloc Québécois.

Contents

Early life

Saganash was born on October 28, 1961 at Waswanipi, a native community in Quebec.[3] He attended law school at the University of Quebec at Montreal and in 1989 he became the first Cree to receive a law degree in Quebec.[4] Saganash's first language is Cree; he is also fluent in English and French.[5] Saganash attended an Indian residential school. At the age of 7, he was among 27 Cree children taken from their homes to attend French-language schooling in La Tuque, while living with an English-speaking, Anglican family.[6] The program was cancelled the following year, but he remained there for 10 years, completing his schooling in French.[7]

Career

In 1985, Saganash founded the Cree National Youth Council.[8]

Saganash was served as deputy grand chief of the James Bay Crees of Northern Quebec from 1990 to 1993.[2]

Prior to his election, Saganash served as director of governmental relations and international affairs for the Grand Council of Crees.[9] From 1997 to 2000, Saganash chaired the James Bay Advisory Committee on the Environment.[8]

As a prominent Cree figure in a riding with many Aboriginal voters, Saganash received personal support from NDP Quebec lieutenant Thomas Mulcair, who referred to Saganash as a "very important candidate".[9]

On Friday September 16, 2011, Saganash announced that he was running for the leadership of the NDP, to succeed Jack Layton.[10] He is believed to be the first aboriginal leader to run for the leadership of a major Canadian party.[5]

See also

References

  1. ^ Bryden, Joan (November 3, 2011). "Saganash questions validity of NDP signature policy on Quebec secession". Winnipeg Free Press. Canadian Press. http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/canada/breakingnews/saganash-questions-validity-of-ndp-signature-policy-on-quebec-secession--133192908.html. Retrieved December 29, 2011. 
  2. ^ a b "Why these people are angry with Blair". Socialist Worker (London, UK: Socialist Workers Party). December 4, 2004. http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/art.php?id=4602. Retrieved October 29, 2011. 
  3. ^ a b "Romeo Saganash". Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/RomeoSaganash?sk=info. Retrieved December 29, 2011. 
  4. ^ House of Commons Debates: Official Report Volume 2. Ottawa: Queen's Printer. 1989. 
  5. ^ a b Authier, Philip (September 17, 2011). "Saganash announces bid for NDP leadership". Montreal Gazette. http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Saganash+announces+leadership/5417568/story.html. Retrieved September 17, 2011. 
  6. ^ Patrick, Donna (2003). Language, politics, and social interaction in an Inuit community. Berlin, Germany: Walter de Gruyter. p. 218. ISBN 3110176521. 
  7. ^ Marcelino, Don (2000) (in French). Le voyage sacré amérindien. Année 2000, regard amérindien sur l'Europe. ISBN 2910677397. 
  8. ^ a b "About Romeo Saganash". New Democratic Party. http://romeosaganash.ndp.ca/about. Retrieved October 29, 2011. 
  9. ^ a b Dougherty, Kevin (March 31, 2011). "Popular Cree leader running for NDP". Montreal Gazette. http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Popular+Cree+leader+running/4532642/story.html. Retrieved May 3, 2011. 
  10. ^ "Romeo Saganash says he will run for the NDP leadership". Winnipeg Free Press. Canadian Press. September 16, 2011. http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/canada/breakingnews/romeo-saganash-says-he-will-run-for-the-ndp-leadership-129967168.html. Retrieved September 16, 2011. 

External links