NDP choose Indian for Calgary riding

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George Chatsis, a 43-year-old full-blooded Cree Indian from the Poundmaker Reserve in Saskatchewan, will be the New Democratic Party candidate in the riding of Calgary Buffalo.

Chatsis won the nomination at a nomination meeting March 13. His candidacy breaks new political ground in the Calgary area as it is the first time that a full-blood Indian has run in a provincial election in a Calgary riding.

Mr. Chatsis has been active in local Native politics for some years, having served on the board of directors for the Calgary Indian Friendship Centre as a police liaison officer for the centre in 1979. His nomination by the New Democrats is his first excursion into provincial politics.

Chatsis has been a long time New Democratic supporter. He believed at an early age that the New Democrats were the only party seriously concerned with the rights of all Canadians to equality and fairness in the cultural community and to full employment in the economic community in Canada.

He believes these two issues are as relevant today as they were 25 years ago, when he first met Tommy Douglas. The issues of fairness and jobs will be two of Chatsis' priority issues.

Chatsis is married to Annabelle Firstrider, a full-blood Blackfoot Indian., They have two children, Patrick and Devina. He is active in the community, coaching baseball and hockey for the Calgary Boys and Girls club, and volunteering for the Salvation Army.

Chatsis is a journeyman electrician and has owned two small businesses on the Poundmaker Reserve: a confectionery and an electric company.

At present Chatsis is devoting all his time to his campaign.