Executive Members
Grand Chief Emile Highway
Grand Chief Highway is a member of the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation. He joined the Armed Forces in 1962 and completed his basic training with the Queen’s Own Rifles. He later transferred first to the Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry and then to the 3rd Canadian Mechanized Commando, serving a total of 10 years in Germany with those outfits. In 1977, hoping to increase his career training, Emile transferred to the Royal Canadian Engineers where he advanced his education, retiring from the Armed Forces after 20 years of service in 1982.
Prince Albert Branch President Ray Sanderson
President Ray Sanderson is a member of the James Smith Cree Nation. He served with the 2nd Battalion (The Black Watch of Canada) and the 2nd Battalion (Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry). He completed 2 tours of duty with NATO Forces, and spent much of his military career in Germany.
Prince Albert Vice President Phillip Ledoux
Vice President Phillip Ledoux is a member of the Mistawasis First Nation, where he currently resided. VP Ledoux served with the 2nd Battalion (Queen's Own Rifles of Canada. He says that after 14 years of Residential School, Army Basic Training was a piece of Cake. In April, 1965, he went to Cyprus with the United Nations Forces. He's seen special duties in Beruit and Lebanon and has traveled extensively in the Middle East. Veteran Ledoux left the Armed Forces in April, 1966.
North Battleford President George Benson
President George Benson is a member of the Red Pheasant First Nations. George served with the Allied Forces in the United States Army from 1952-1957. He served 16 months overseas in the Korean War, and then re-enlisted, qualifying for the Green Berets Airbourne. He then completed a second tour of duty in Germany.
North Battleford Vice President Arland Tootoosis
Arland Tootoosis was born in Great Falls, Montana, and is a member of the Poundmaker First Nation, where he grew up. After his return to Canada as a teenager, Arland began to get in trouble with the law, so he and his brother hitchhiked to the U.S. and joined the United States Navy. He served with the U.S. Navy in the Vietnam War. He has been awarded the Vietnam Service Medal and the medal awarded by the South Vietnamese to recognize the Navy’s service. After his discharge, he worked at numerous jobs and became addicted to both alcohol and narcotics. Eventually, he found recovery and currently works with the Saskatchewan First Nations Veterans’ Association, serving his first term as North Battleford Branch Vice President. Arland lives with his wife and daughter in North Battleford.
Regina-Qu’Appelle Branch President Arthur Anderson
Arthur Anderson is from the Gordon First Nation. He joined the army because he came from a long line of military service, with over 13 of his family members serving from the Boer War to the present day conflict in Afghanistan. Arthur served in Germany twice in as a prartrooper on peacekeeping mission. He also served in Cyprus and Africa. In total, he served 29 years with the Canadian Forces, completing 265 jumps with the Canadian Forces and an additional 11 with the United States Aribourne, and won both the Centennial Medal and the Peacekeeper Medal. After his discharge, Arthur attended the University of Saskatchewan, completing degrees in Theology and Native Studies. He has spent 22 years working as an Anglican Priest, walking in two worlds to try and bridge the gap between First Nations and non-First Nations cultures. Throughout his life, Arthur has been a role model for education, hard work, and dedication for First Nations youth and adults.
Regina Qu’Appelle Vice President Ronald (Rocky) Redwood
Vice President Ron Redwood is a member of the Cowessess First Nation, and currently works with the Cowessess Treaty Land Entitlement Office. Ron joined the United States Army in 1968. In 1969 he served in Vietnam and in 1970 he returned to Vietnam for a 2nd tour. He served with the 572nd Transport Company and was released with an honourable discharge in 1971.