Five candidates are challenging Robert Doucette to become president of the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan and after months of delays, 80,000 Métis citizens are set to go to the polls Sept. 8.

"One of the stronger challengers will be Wayne McKenzine from Regina. Wayne's been around for a long time, he was with the Metis society in the 80s," said John Lagimodiere, publisher and editor of Eagle Father News and commentator on Saskatchewan aboriginal affairs.

A number of the Métis Nation's regional representatives are running, these are the same people who were boycotting earlier meetings forcing them to be cancelled, he said.

"Mavis Taylor, who's running against him from Glaslyn, was one of the area directors that wasn't very co-operative in making the meetings and what not. So you can see some of the camps. Raymond Laliberte from Buffalo Narrows is also a camp against Robert Doucette."

Doucette is running for a second term.

"It looks good for Doucette, but then at the same time, who knows?" Lagimodiere said.

Also running for president are Bryan Lee of Christopher Lake, and Maureen Belanger of Saskatoon.

Along with voting for president, Métis citizens will also be voting for a vice president, secretary, treasurer, and numerous regional representatives. In two regions, there have been no nominations and it's unclear what will be done with those empty seats, but by-elections may need to be held.

Long-standing acrimony within the elected officials could be one of the biggest campaign issues,

"Simmering throughout the community is a frustration with 'enough of the games, enough of the playing, get in there and do your jobs. Quit turning it into a … the thing is it's such a personal attack, they personally attack each other," Lagimodiere said.

dkirton@rawlco.com

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