Paul John Murdoch was declared the new Grand Chief of the Cree Nation July 17, after receiving 51.5% of the 4,447 votes cast across Eeyou Istchee in Grand Council elections. It was a decisive victory over incumbent Norman A. Wapachee (39%) and John Kitchen (9%).
With none of the four candidates for Deputy Grand Chief receiving over half the vote, a run-off election was held August 1 (after press time) between Linden Spencer and John Henry Wapachee. Spencer led the initial vote with 47.75%, ahead of Wapachee (32%), Sammy Salt-Blacksmith (11%) and Robin Gull-Saganash (9%).
The newly elected Grand Chief arrived at his first official Council Board meeting in Chisasibi July 22 by motorcycle, his vehicle of choice for a cross-country road trip this spring that inspired some of his campaign priorities.
He was concerned that his platform might have been overly broad and complex, but voters seemed impressed with his clear answers and wealth of ideas. After a whirlwind election campaign accompanied by his son, Murdoch said this adventure had taught him “the incredible power of the love” in Cree communities.
“I am overwhelmed, on the edge of tears with the expressions of congratulations, handshakes, hugs and smiles that I received all week in Chisasibi,” Murdoch told the Nation. “Outside my house this morning in Wemindji, people were stopping. It’s been emotional to feel that love and support.”
The first Cree member of the Quebec Bar, Murdoch informed the partners in the law firm he founded 20 years ago that he would step away to run in this election, and plans to divest himself of his shares in the firm. He’s also resigning from the Tawich Development Corporation board of directors and the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council. His seat on Concordia University’s board of governors isn’t remunerated, so he said he’d leave that decision up to the community Chiefs.
In his first meeting with the Chiefs, Murdoch said there was already progress in ensuring accountability and transparency. As part of a proposed Access to Information Act, Murdoch created folders for correspondence to and from the Grand Chief that any member can view.
“Troilus [mining company] sent a letter congratulating me and also wanting to update me on where their project is,” Murdoch offered as an example. “The Chief of Mistissini, the Director of Commerce and Director of Environment all got to see that. There would be no meeting without local representation.”
Council meetings will focus on specific topics throughout the year, such as housing or the budget, to help clarify agendas and encourage stakeholders participate.
“It’s going to help take the pressure off certain issues,” said Murdoch. “If you don’t know when you’re going to meet again, you want to throw everything on the table. Everyone has a full agenda – I think we’ll have more efficient ways of addressing people’s concerns.”
With increasing clashes between tallymen and development companies, Murdoch believes there is a misunderstanding of the Cree Nation’s power to influence environmental and social impact assessments. Conversations on the campaign trail revealed that some development companies are not fulfilling their communication responsibilities.
“When a land user goes to a mining company with a question, it’s not acceptable for the company to say I signed a communication protocol with your council so talk with them,” said Murdoch. “If our people had a good understanding (of their rights) beforehand, maybe these announcements from companies being overly zealous will cause less anxiety.”
Murdoch wants the CNG to have a closer relationship with the Cree Trappers’ Association and hopes to visit with leaders at their upcoming annual general assembly in Wemindji. He’ll also speak at the Cree Nation Business Summit in Mistissini that week about the need to support entrepreneurs.
September’s Council meeting is dedicated to housing, justice and policing. Murdoch says he has many ideas about the housing crisis, including bringing governance back to communities and creating opportunities.
“If you can’t get access to insurance, a mortgage, a good interest rate, you can’t get a house,” Murdoch explained. “If the bank is insisting on a counter-guarantee from the Band that could be another barrier. That’s a lot of issues aside from labour and contracting.”
Murdoch suggested that a $600 million housing construction boom could be triggered by using the CNG’s $100 million private housing fund to induce banks to offer competitive mortgages. This would create employment, help families grow personal wealth and alleviate pressure on the social housing market.
His background in law has also given him strong feelings about the Justice Department, including its “scandalous” $40 million surplus amidst escalating social problems in communities. Murdoch wants to open discussions with Quebec, so local governments have more authority to enforce municipal violations.
“Right now, everything is going through the court system, and it’s completely jammed,” said Murdoch. “Our communities are constitutionally entitled to an efficient judicial system, not a court that meets once a year denying justice to already vulnerable victims.”
Having “the challenge and the blessing” of two hometowns, being born in Wemindji and raised in Waskaganish, Murdoch wants the official inauguration of Grand Chief and Deputy Grand Chief to coincide with the CNG’s annual general assembly. The event is planned for August 26 in Ouje-Bougoumou.