The Chief and Council of Muskeg Lake make decisions about community affairs with the guidance of Cree Law and the contributions of community elders. Their goal is to empower members and managers to do their work and act as a resource and a support, rather than to interfere in the day-to-day affairs of the community.
This dedication to guidance and leadership leaves Chief and Council members free to focus their attention on governance, planning and making larger decisions about the growth and care of the Muskeg Lake community.
Governance, to me, is about building a nation. It’s about empowering people to take responsibility in their communities. It’s about educating and encouraging leaders or providing tools and guidance for those who don’t want to take a leadership role.
Read About the Chief & Council
The Chief and Council consist of seven members who meet every second Wednesday to discuss and make decisions about the affairs and well-being of the Muskeg Lake community. Community meetings alternate with Corporate Board meetings so that all aspects of community life and business are addressed in an ongoing manner. An elder also attends every Chief and Council meeting.
Services are provided to the community by the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation administration under the guidance of the Director of Operations. The Director of Operations, connected to the Chief and Council, helps transform the Council’s vision for the community through the delivery of supportive programs and services. The Director of Operations also ensures that partnerships with outside governments and agencies are mutually beneficial and respectful.
Director of Operations: Murray Browne
In 2000, the Council approved the creation of a Police Management Board (PMB). The PMB has two goals:
The Council appoints members to the PMB for two-year terms, who are then eligible for re-appointment. The PMB and the RCMP meet monthly, and the RCMP reports the number of hours spent on Muskeg Lake territory, types of calls made to the reserve (policing and community relations), community programs they have participated in, emerging policing trends, and the status of complaints.
The PMB and RCMP also meet annually to develop policing goals for the community based on trends reported by the RCMP, concerns raised by community members (collected by the PMB), the Council and the PMB, and any outstanding goals from the previous year.
