Chief Guy Lonechild
Mr. Guy Lonechild, (Mikisew Kapapamihaht - Golden Eagle) “He who flies in the Four Directions for his People” is a member of the White Bear First Nation in southeast Saskatchewan and is proud to be of Saulteaux, Cree and Assiniboine ancestry. On October 29, 2009, Saskatchewan’s 74 First Nations elected Guy as Chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations. Chief Guy Lonechild holds an Associate Degree in Business Management from San Diego, California. He lives in Saskatoon with his wife Leah Bitternose and daughter Darian.
Chief Lonechild is an experienced member of the FSIN Executive as he served three terms as the Second Vice-Chief of the Federation. At the time of his election victory in the fall of 1999 Guy was only 26 years old making him the youngest person ever to be elected to the FSIN Executive.
During the next nine years he would lead a new era of relationship-building for First Nations most notably in the growth of new businesses and employment partnerships. Guy navigated the FSIN’s 25 year Economic Development Long-term Strategy which sparked new energy into Sector Task Forces in Agriculture, Retail, Oil & Gas, Alternative Energy and Tourism.
Guy also dedicated much of his expertise and energy to the protection of Treaty Rights to Health, Shelter and Inherent Rights of Children and Youth. In May of 2008, Guy addressed the 7th Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues to raise the awareness of human rights violations by Canada for the lack of prevention services for First Nations children and families on-reserve. In July of that same year Guy’s efforts lead to the signing of the ‘Historic Saskatchewan First Nations Prevention Framework’ a $104.8 million investment to help strengthen families as an alternative to child apprehension.
Another historic first was the signing of the ‘Memorandum of Understanding on Health and Well-Being’ between Canada, Saskatchewan and the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations. The MOU’s intent addresses the challenges in health disparities and cross-jurisdictional service gaps, cultural appropriateness, and First Nations as the next generation of health-care providers. Guy also initiated the review of Mental Health, Addictions and Treatment Services delivered by First Nations and Inuit Health, Health Canada coinciding with the intent to develop a 10-year First Nations Health and Wellness Plan.