Cree Nation in Manitoba Thriving Under Anderson’s Leadership as Chief

While things aren’t perfect in Norway House Cree Nation, there’s no denying prospects are getting better for one of the largest First Nations in Manitoba, which has about 8,700 members, 6,500 of whom live on reserve. When a former premier asked Chief Larson Anderson what his proudest accomplishment was, he said “I was not proud of what I had done because we still had members that were unemployed and we still had some members that were homeless.” But things are improving considerably under Anderson’s leadership, who has served as Chief for the First Nation since 2018 and, before that, acted as his First Nation’s general manager, project manager, and property manager. “Norway House has strong leadership, engaged staff and is on an upward trajectory for achieving major economic development success,” said Anderson. And he is rightfully proud of the positive changes he has made since becoming Norway House’s Chief. For example, the First Nation’s payroll was annually about half a million dollars when he first became Chief. But in each of the past three years, Norway House’s payroll has doubled and is now about one million dollars annually. Thus, more and more people are getting to work for the First Nation in various initiatives. The First Nation was thrust into the national spotlight in 2023 when it was selected as Community of the Year at the Cando Conference, held in Membertou, Novia Scotia. Norway House Cree Nation beat out the Red Rock Indian Band, which is located about 120 kilometres east of Thunder Bay, Ontario, to capture the Cando Community of the Year accolade. “It’s a very big honour,” Anderson said of the prestigious award. “You’re always doing a lot of hard work and you rarely get recognized for it.” That said, this was actually the second time Norway House has captured the Cando Community of the Year award. Norway House’s first Cando triumph had come more than two decades earlier in 2001, a few years after Anderson had served two terms as a Norway House councillor. Anderson believes he played an instrumental role in the projects his First Nation was involved with during this time and that those initiatives helped Norway House secure its first Cando award. The Cando conference is also a great networking opportunity: fellow winner, Rose Paul, CEO of the Bayside Development Corporation, noted she had made numerous contacts at the event and was keen to explore various partnership opportunities, including with Norway House Cree Nation. Anderson is obviously pleased his First Nation was singled out again, as the national recognition will help create other opportunities for the First Nation. “Norway House is being seen as a leader now,” he said. “It brings us out into the open.” Indeed, the Cando designation of being the top Indigenous community in the country cements the fact Anderson made a wise decision to become the leader of his people. “I have always believed, given the right circumstances, I could make an impact as a Chief,” he said. “I had unfinished work that was needed to make Norway House the best First Nation in Canada.” Anderson credits social media for his current position, as he utilized it to publicly question the previous administration’s tactics. His ability to openly speak his mind and question those in charge led several Norway House members to praise Anderson and see him as a better option to lead the First Nation, ultimately resulting in community members voting in Anderson as Chief. And Anderson’s subsequent actions have proven that he is indeed a good fit for the job. Norway House now has a detailed economic plan, …