Cheryle Snache for Councillor

Cheryle Snache for Councillor

Aaniin

My name is Cheryle Snache and I am running for position of Councillor for Rama First Nation. I have a number of key areas of concern for our community which I will address, but first a little bit about myself. I have lived in Rama most of my life and I'm the mother of two grown children, Sam and Kory who grew up here and call Rama home.

Everyone agrees right now that the top priorities in our community are jobs and Economic Development. Creating meaningful jobs for our people must start with job training and job shadowing. Our people need to hold the majority of the positions in our community, including leadership and management roles, and supporting those that have gone on to post-secondary education. Working for Rama should be a career building move that also addresses our social issues. Economic Development should address long term sustainability and must be community driven. In addition I believe we can and should cut wasteful spending in order to add to our Looking Far Ahead Trust. So many of us rely on the money at Christmas just to get by. The Trust needs to grow and be sustainable.

We have so much potential here in Rama that we need to maximize. Our greatest assets and resources are our people. We need to develop a brand new marketing strategy with community input that will put Rama in line with First Nation communities like Membertou and Osoyoos. I have a plan to develop our land, our community and our people, that will enhance the quality of life for everyone and still respect and protect the environment and our waters.

Housing and Home Ownership is another area of great concern to me. Healthy, sustainable home ownership should be accessible to all and we need to look at ways to accomplish this. I feel the price of land should be more affordable for our people that want to build a family home here in the community.

I am passionate about our culture and preserving all aspects of our language and traditional knowledge. Our Language is our Culture. A Cultural Centre for our Youth is another top priority and having a plan is vital to this. Today's youth need a sense of cultural identity they can be proud of and we need to support this. An Elders and Youth Council must be established to help voice the will of the people. Supporting Arts, amateur sports and Education is critical to our young people’s identity.

As a Councillor the Social Well Being of the community should be front and centre when considering any and all decisions. We need to look after our people, especially our Seniors and their needs, and those that are the most vulnerable to social issues. I can assure the people that no decisions shall be made until the well-being of this community is factored in.

I believe we are all shareholders and therefore are entitled to any and all information affecting the future and well- being of this community. This would mean financial information on time and written for you, and all council meeting minutes will be posted. My bottom line is that no decisions should be made that affect you and this community without your input first. I want to do away with policies that are paralyzing and implement new policies that will empower our people.

Together we can achieve this.

I welcome your comments, questions and concerns and you can reach me at any time at 705-325-6629 and by emailing cherylesnache@gmail.com My door is always open and I am welcoming community members to drop by for tea or coffee and discussion. With our hearts and our votes we have the power to change our community for the future.

Cheryle Snache, Crane Clan of Rama First Nation