On March 8, the people of Chisasibi elected Davey Bobbish as their new Chief. The race between six candidates began when former Chief Abraham Rupert announced that he was stepping down due to health reasons at the start of 2012.
In most cases, the Deputy Chief would step in to finish the remainder of the term and then call an election. However, Chisasibi Deputy Chief Daisy House Lameboy decided not to accept the position and thus prompting an election.
Bobbish won by a substantial margin indicating the confidence the people of Chisasibi have in him as their new leader. In the previous election, Bobbish ran against Abraham Rupert. The other candidates were Charlie Louttit, Councillor Gertie Neacappo, Roy Neacappo, Roderick Pachano and Robbi Tipiatic.
Prior to becoming Chief, Bobbish was the treasurer of the Chisasibi Band Council from 2003 to 2011. He was also the Director General of Operations for Chisasibi from 2004 to 2011, and then became the Deputy Director General for the Cree Regional Authority, a position he held until becoming Chief.
By March 9, there were numerous posts of congratulations on his Facebook campaign page as the news spread of his win. Mike Pelletier, a childhood friend, wrote on the Chisasibi page, “Personally, I’ve known Davey since childhood to adulthood. He has the passion and capability to lead. I believe you made the right choice and he will serve you well.”
In addition to the election of the new Chief, a meeting was held on March 1 to determine if the community will also hold a general election for the council. Jimmy Neacappo, the presiding officer chosen for the meeting, said, “The request was turned down because it didn’t get the quorum required to pass.” For the request to be approved it needed a quorum of one third of all participants at the meeting voting in favour of it.
The first Chisasibi Chief to be elected for a five-year term, former Chief Rupert announced his resignation on January 13 of this year. Shortly after winning the election in 2010, he suffered a heart attack in September yet returned to work a few weeks later in early October.
With 14 years of experience working for the community in various positions, Bobbish won the election with a large backing of the community. On his campaign website (www.DaveyBobbish.com), he elaborated his views on the election, stating, “The opportunity is here for you to choose that person that will change the history of our generation, that person is me.”
In addition to his work in the public sector, Bobbish also has an extensive history working as a board member in about eight committees. He is currently serving as a committee member for CREECO as well as being a member of its audit committee since 2008. Plus, Bobbish has served on the CRA Board of Compensation.
As a family man, married for 17 years and with five children, his campaign focused on economic development and better education as well as his vision of a strengthened community based on Cree values. His parenting reveals itself in his vision plan when he calls for stronger community bonds, he states, “Children learn from us, we are the teachers, and we need to show them how to treat people with respect and kindness.”
The community of Chisasibi has found a new leader and with the Plan Nord development kicking into high gear it will put the new Chief to the test. Bobboish said he is “the man who can connect us to the future for our community”. And now the future of his community rests in his hands.
