Mayoral candidate Scott Nelson is being endorsed by former Tsilqot’in National Government tribal chair Ervin Charleyboy.
Charleyboy, also a former chief of Alexis Creek First Nations, said he was endorsing Nelson because he has known him for more than 20 years and worked with him when he was chief.
“I think he would be the man to get the job done as mayor because he knows both sides of the issues,” Charleyboy said adding he thinks Nelson “can do the job given the way things are going right now.”
What the Williams Lake and aboriginal communities need is jobs, said Charleyboy adding it’s important to consider available opportunities to determine how to make life better for First Nations and non-First Nations people
“Right now we’ve got nothing and we need something that will benefit all people like jobs.
“When you look at the whole situation with reserves in this country young people have got nothing. What can they do. Just go into gangs and you’ve got trouble and we’ve got to stop it all and make things right for these people with jobs and training.”
Charleyboy added that Nelson had been supportive of First Nations throughout their struggles with other levels of government through the years as well as with Taseko’s Prosperity Mine project.
In both instances, he said, Nelson had been supportive and considered all sides of the issues.
“He was onside with aboriginal land issues and rights.”
Nelson said he was “honoured” by the endorsement.
“Ervin Charleyboy has a significant amount of respect within the First Nations communities and it speaks volumes and I am truly honoured that I have the support from the chief.”