A strong indigenous female candidate is a rare find in Saskatchewan politics. Saskatchewan’s political landscape is typically dominated by white men. The promise of diversity presented itself when Betty Nippi-Albright suggested that she may be running for the leadership of the Saskatchewan NDP, a post vacated by Ryan Meili.
In a post made to Nippi-Albright’s twitter page – the promise of a strong indigenous matriarch rising to challenge the establishment came to an end.
“I am humbled and honored to have received such magnificent encouragement by so many folks across the province and this country” The MLA spoke to the original driving force behind her life in provincial politics, wanting to use her education, and experiences to create positive change for future generations and all citizens of the province.
Albright expressed her feelings that the current ecosystem of Saskatchewan politics – wasn’t ready for her.
“At this moment in time – I do not believe that the political establishment is ready to have a vocal First Nation woman, lead and become the Premier of Saskatchewan”
Her history as an MLA has given her a platform to speak truth to the power of government, something Albright has done time and time again.
Albright was elected to office in 2020, coming from humble beginnings. A survivor of residential institutions, poverty, and racism. Albright has risen from a place of struggle and adversity – to a place of prominence and power.
Using her voice as an MLA to continue calling out what she sees as a lack of action by the Saskatchewan Party on behalf of indigenous peoples – is something that Albright pledged to continue. In her tweet Albright promised to continue calling out the Saskatchewan Party’s breach of treaty rights, lack of reconciliation and meaningful duty to Consult process, fire sale of Crown lands, refusal to act on MMIWG2S issues, and repeated examples of systemic racism.
Betty Nippi-Albright ended the post with a simple Miigwech, a thank you to those who held confidence in her leadership.