Amanda Louison
My name is Amanda Louison. I am a member of the Kahkewistahaw First Nation. I have 2 adult children Fabian Louison and Alena Louison. My son and his wife Marilyn, have two sons – Lionel Joseph Pascual Louison and Theoren Troy Louison. My daughter has one son – Greyden Yee Louison. As a grandmother I adore my grandsons and they are a very important part of my life. I have lived on the Kahkewistahaw First Nation all of my married life. I lost my husband Urbin, in June 2019.
My first job started in May of 1973. Over the years I worked at Cowessess, Kahkewistahaw, Last Oak Park & Golf Course, Yorkton Tribal Council and FSIN. During this time, I had the privilege of sitting on various boards and committees. Also done one year of school bus driving for a private contractor. Plus I spent 4 years at University – 1987 to 1991, convocated with a Diploma of Associate in Administration from U of R.
I was elected Chief (first Lady) at my First Nation in 1995, this was the start of my political career until I retired on April 12, 2011. I served only one term (2yrs) as Chief, which was my choice not to run again. In my 2 year term, we brought Natural Gas and a Low Water Pressure System to our community. We received an award from FSIN for accomplishing these projects.
The other big and best accomplishment as Chief was getting our Specific Land Claim approved for negotiation. On February 27, 1997 the Indian Claims Commission held a Press Conference, this is when they officially announced that our Claim was approved for negotiation. This was the best day for Kahkewistahaw and our people. This Press Conference was televised across the country for several days and we had several Media interviews. I kept all the news articles; we made history on this day. I remained on Band Council for five terms (10years). As a member of council, I continued to be involved with the Land Claim negotiations as Team Leader. We later settled for 94.6millions dollars. I was also elected by acclamation in 2003-2004 as Yorkton Tribal Council, Tribal Chief (first Lady).
I am also a certified ISC Electoral Officer. This is not a full time job but over the years, I have done many First Nation Elections including Ratification Votes, done a First Nation Oil Gas Management Act Vote and many Tribal Council elections. Done a Land Claim Vote for 83 million dollars. This job has taken me to several First Nations in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. I am also a Commissioner for Oaths and Marriage Commissioner.
I take every opportunity I am given very seriously. As First Nation people we have to work so hard and jump through so many hoops to be successful.
We must try to work collectively to make it better for our communities. We have big populations to serve and we must learn to be accountable and transparent. Today our members are better educated, want to be involved and have a say. Our Treaty Rights are changing almost every day and we are not doing much about it. Other governments do not respect the “Intent” or do not understand or want to understand what the Treaties mean to us. We and I mean all of us need to let the governments know that we will never give up and that we will never stop talking about why our forefathers signed Treaties and what they were promised. We cannot give up for the sake of our grandchildren, their children and those unborn.
Education for our Youth is very important and it must always be a priority. We must encourage them to continue to go to school and that education or training will always lead to employment. Our Health benefits seem to be slipping away bit by bit. We all need to do what we can to preserve what we have and work hard at getting back what we have lost or get something that can replace what we have lost.
Became a SIGA board member in March 2012, this is the third time I have been on this board and honoured to represent my people of Yorkton Tribal Council. My goal was to do a good job, be accountable and making reports to the Chiefs Council. It is a privilege to hold this appointment. Since this time I became an FSIN, Senator, 2015, this was a nomination from my First Nation, to the Yorkton Tribal Council, then to FSIN. In 2020, I became a SIEF Board of Director, to present day.
I am also a Board of Director for Kahkewistahaw Economic Management Board. KEMC is responsible for developments on the First Nation lands and Urban lands that our 1907 Trustees have purchased.