A member of the Ochapowace-Chacachas First Nation located
near Whitewood, Vice-Chief Morley Watson is serving his third
term with the FSIN.
Background:
Throughout his life, from childhood to the present, Vice
Chief Watson has been actively involved with sports, as a
competitor, coach, manager and supporter. His participation
in various sports such as hockey, fastball, etc. has played
a major factor in his growth and development as a person with
principles of fairness and sincerity yet with a strong competitive
nature to challenge and stand up for what is right, especially
for the people.
In 1988, he opened Watson Sporting Goods in Melville; this
was the first owned and operated business by a First Nation
individual of its kind at that time. Business proved to be
second nature to him and his business thrived; but being one
not ever far from his roots, he returned to Ochapowace to
assist the First Nation in the area of economic development
in 1993 and through strategic planning, the Nation became
very progressive in the world of business as new ventures
were established.
Believing that First Nations peoples can compete at all levels
in sports, he became a founding member of the Lebret Eagles
Jr. A Hockey Club, which was very successful. He also became
a major contributor to the Ochapowace Sports & Recreation
program by coaching, managing and volunteering with the various
hockey and fastball teams, capturing league and provincial
championships. He was honoured when he was inducted into the
Indian Head & District Sports Hall of Fame.
In 2006, he took on the challenge of coaching the FSIN Midget
Boys’ Fastball Team and not only did they earn Gold
at the North American Indigenous Games held in Denver, Colorado
but they went on to win the Canadian National Championship
– it is believed to be the first in the history of Softball
Canada that a First Nation team would earn a national title.
Political:
Growing up as a son of a Chief, First Nation’s politics
was very familiar to him; his father and brothers served their
Nation in leadership as Chief and/or Councillors so it was
natural for him to follow the path set before him. He was
elected to Council in 1982 and eventually became Chief, serving
for two terms. A major accomplishment while in office was
the when he negotiated the first ever Alternate Funding Agreement
(AFA) in Canada, this agreement is only allowed for First
Nations with exemplary financial management. Another achievement
while in office, he assisted in the advancement in legal action
against the Saskatchewan Government that led to the Treaty
Land Entitlement negotiations.
Elected to serve his first term in 1997 as the First Vice
Chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, his
portfolios included Education & Training; Sports, Culture,
Recreation & Youth. In addition to the portfolios, he
sat as Chair, Co-Chair and Board of Director to various boards
and commissions.
His second term commenced in 2003 and he was given the portfolio
holder of Health & Social Development and Education, also
sitting as the representative to the national Chiefs Committee
on Health and Education during that term in office. Never
one to shy away from the tough issues, he has made the difficult
decisions in his portfolio areas that are for the benefit
for all First Nations in Saskatchewan and their members.
He was elected in 2006 to his third term, and currently holds
the files on Economic and Employment Development, Gaming Jurisdiction
and Housing & Public Works. He sits on the national Chiefs
Committee on Economic Development representing the Saskatchewan
region.
Family:
He is a proud father and grandfather, very active in their
upbringing and encouraging them in their endeavours. He is
very close to his brothers and sister and enjoys spending
time with his numerous nieces, nephews and traditionally adopted
children. He is a corner stone for his family and is a role
model for First Nation’s people; he is an abstainer
of drugs and alcohol, participates in cultural ceremonies
and is active in communities’ events.
