Ron Evans (politician)
Encyclopedia
Ron Evans is a clergyman and politician in Manitoba
, Canada
. He is currently the Grand Chief for the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC). A priest in the Anglican Church of Canada
, Evans is also a prominent figure in the Aboriginal
community of northern Manitoba. He unsuccessfully sought election to both the Manitoba legislature and the Canadian House of Commons
, and has served as a band councillor and chief.
Evans was born and raised in Norway House
, Manitoba
, and was educated in Winnipeg, Calgary
and La Tuque, Quebec
. As a priest, Evans is a member of the Diocesan Council in the Anglican Diocese of Keewatin
and a member of the Anglican Council of Indigenous People. He served as a band councillor in Norway House from 1980 to 1988, and was the band's acting chief for two years during this period. He was elected as the band's chief in 1996, was re-elected in 1998 and 2002, and was also an executive councillor in the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak and the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
. He stepped down as chief of Norway House Cree Nation to run for the AMC leadership. In addition to his political work, Evans is a member of the Norway House Fisherman's Co-op, and holds a commercial fishing license. In 1998, Evans was presented with "The Order of the Buffalo Hunt" from then-Premier
Gary Filmon
.
In the 1999 provincial election
, Evans was a candidate of the governing Progressive Conservative Party
in the northern riding of The Pas. Despite the unpopularity of the Progressive Conservative party in other northern ridings, Evans's personal popularity was such that he was almost able to defeat the riding's incumbent MLA, New Democrat
Oscar Lathlin
(who is also aboriginal). Lathlin received 2952 votes, Evans 2737.
For the federal election of 2000, Evans switched parties and sought the Liberal
nomination in the riding of Churchill
. He was defeated by former MLA and MP Elijah Harper
, who in turn lost to NDP candidate Bev Desjarlais
in the general election.
Evans again ran for the Liberal nomination in the 2004 election, this time successfully. Once again, his personal popularity was such that he was able to run a credible campaign against a popular incumbent; nevertheless, he was defeated by Desjarlais by 8612 votes to 7604.
During the 2004 election, there were questions raised about donations made by first-nations groups in northern Manitoba to the federal Liberal Party. The Norway House Cree Nation was revealed to have donated $10,000 to the Liberal Party between 2000 and 2002, more than any other first nation in the region. (It may be noted that the president of the Liberal Association in the riding was also a Norway House band administrator.) Norway House Band Councillor Marcel Balfour emerged as a vocal opponent of these donations, arguing that the money could have been better spent on combatting unemployment and youth violence in the riding.
Evans has defended Norway House band's actions, claiming that they ultimately benefited his community, and noting that such donations were legal before the Canadian laws on election financing were changed in 2004.
Evans was elected Grand Chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) in 2005, a provincial body which advocates on behalf of all of Manitoba's First Nations. He was re-elected in August, 2008. Ironically, Marcel Balfour replaced Evans as chief of Norway House, inheriting a $70 million debt from Evans' prior nine year administration.
Evans decided not to seek a third term at AMC and on July 22nd, 2011 was re-elected chief of Norway House Cree Nation.
Manitoba
Manitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. He is currently the Grand Chief for the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC). A priest in the Anglican Church of Canada
Anglican Church of Canada
The Anglican Church of Canada is the Province of the Anglican Communion in Canada. The official French name is l'Église Anglicane du Canada. The ACC is the third largest church in Canada after the Roman Catholic Church and the United Church of Canada, consisting of 800,000 registered members...
, Evans is also a prominent figure in the Aboriginal
Aboriginal peoples in Canada
Aboriginal peoples in Canada comprise the First Nations, Inuit and Métis. The descriptors "Indian" and "Eskimo" have fallen into disuse in Canada and are commonly considered pejorative....
community of northern Manitoba. He unsuccessfully sought election to both the Manitoba legislature and the Canadian House of Commons
Canadian House of Commons
The House of Commons of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the Sovereign and the Senate. The House of Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 308 members known as Members of Parliament...
, and has served as a band councillor and chief.
Evans was born and raised in Norway House
Norway House, Manitoba
- Treaty and York Boat Days :Held annually each summer, the York Boat events serve as the main attraction.-External links:* * * *...
, Manitoba
Manitoba
Manitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
, and was educated in Winnipeg, Calgary
Calgary
Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
and La Tuque, Quebec
La Tuque, Quebec
La Tuque is a city in south central Quebec, Canada, on the Saint-Maurice River, between Trois-Rivières and Chambord. In 2006, it had a population of 11,821 Latuquois....
. As a priest, Evans is a member of the Diocesan Council in the Anglican Diocese of Keewatin
Keewatin
-Places:United States* Keewatin, Minnesota, USA, a cityCanada* Keewatin, Ontario, a town amalgamated with the towns of Kenora and Jaffray Melick to form Kenora* District of Keewatin, Northwest Territories* Keewatin Region...
and a member of the Anglican Council of Indigenous People. He served as a band councillor in Norway House from 1980 to 1988, and was the band's acting chief for two years during this period. He was elected as the band's chief in 1996, was re-elected in 1998 and 2002, and was also an executive councillor in the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak and the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs is an organization of First Nations leaders in Manitoba, Canada. Its current Grand Chief is Ron Evans of the Norway House Cree Nation.-External links:*...
. He stepped down as chief of Norway House Cree Nation to run for the AMC leadership. In addition to his political work, Evans is a member of the Norway House Fisherman's Co-op, and holds a commercial fishing license. In 1998, Evans was presented with "The Order of the Buffalo Hunt" from then-Premier
Premier
Premier is a title for the head of government in some countries and states.-Examples by country:In many nations, "premier" is used interchangeably with "prime minister"...
Gary Filmon
Gary Filmon
Gary Albert Filmon, PC, OC, OM is a Manitoba politician. He was the leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba from 1983 to 2000, and served as the 19th Premier from 1988 to 1999.-Early life and municipal career:...
.
In the 1999 provincial election
Manitoba general election, 1999
The Manitoba general election of September 21, 1999 was held to elect Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Manitoba, Canada....
, Evans was a candidate of the governing Progressive Conservative Party
Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba
The Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba is the only right wing political party in Manitoba, Canada. It is also the official opposition party in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.-Origins and early years:...
in the northern riding of The Pas. Despite the unpopularity of the Progressive Conservative party in other northern ridings, Evans's personal popularity was such that he was almost able to defeat the riding's incumbent MLA, New Democrat
New Democratic Party of Manitoba
The New Democratic Party of Manitoba is a social-democratic political party in Manitoba, Canada. It is the provincial wing of the federal New Democratic Party, and is a successor to the Manitoba Co-operative Commonwealth Federation...
Oscar Lathlin
Oscar Lathlin
Oscar Lathlin was a politician in Manitoba, Canada, and was a cabinet minister in the New Democratic Party government of Gary Doer.-Life and career:...
(who is also aboriginal). Lathlin received 2952 votes, Evans 2737.
For the federal election of 2000, Evans switched parties and sought the Liberal
Liberal Party of Canada
The Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative...
nomination in the riding of Churchill
Churchill (electoral district)
Churchill is a federal electoral district in Manitoba, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 1935. It covers northern Manitoba, a vast wilderness area dotted with small municipalities and First Nations reserves...
. He was defeated by former MLA and MP Elijah Harper
Elijah Harper
Elijah Harper is an Aboriginal Cree Canadian politician and band chief. He was a key player in the rejection of the Meech Lake Accord, an attempt at Canadian constitutional reform.- Early life :...
, who in turn lost to NDP candidate Bev Desjarlais
Bev Desjarlais
Bev Desjarlais is a retired Canadian politician. She represented Churchill in the Canadian House of Commons from 1997 to 2006, initially as a New Democrat and later as an Independent after losing her party nomination in late 2005...
in the general election.
Evans again ran for the Liberal nomination in the 2004 election, this time successfully. Once again, his personal popularity was such that he was able to run a credible campaign against a popular incumbent; nevertheless, he was defeated by Desjarlais by 8612 votes to 7604.
During the 2004 election, there were questions raised about donations made by first-nations groups in northern Manitoba to the federal Liberal Party. The Norway House Cree Nation was revealed to have donated $10,000 to the Liberal Party between 2000 and 2002, more than any other first nation in the region. (It may be noted that the president of the Liberal Association in the riding was also a Norway House band administrator.) Norway House Band Councillor Marcel Balfour emerged as a vocal opponent of these donations, arguing that the money could have been better spent on combatting unemployment and youth violence in the riding.
Evans has defended Norway House band's actions, claiming that they ultimately benefited his community, and noting that such donations were legal before the Canadian laws on election financing were changed in 2004.
Evans was elected Grand Chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) in 2005, a provincial body which advocates on behalf of all of Manitoba's First Nations. He was re-elected in August, 2008. Ironically, Marcel Balfour replaced Evans as chief of Norway House, inheriting a $70 million debt from Evans' prior nine year administration.
Evans decided not to seek a third term at AMC and on July 22nd, 2011 was re-elected chief of Norway House Cree Nation.