b'CHIEF PROFILEChief Profile:Q&A with newly elected Chief Nikki van Oirschot of Caldwell First NationBY NIKITA DAYO n September 14, 2024, Nikki van Oirschot waswhere we can do better and where opportunities are for building elected as the new Chief of Caldwell First Nation,economic growth, sustainability, generational wealth and defeating incumbent Chief Mary Duckworth andprofitsharing. Councillor Larry Johnson, both of whom have held the role before. Caldwell First Nation celebrated a recentWhat unique challenges have arisen in your role so far?return to their ancestral territory after 235 years, and Chief vanNV: I guess balancing the need for quick action with the commit-Oirschot is committed to leading the Nation forward with trans- ment to transparency and fairness. Sometimes people want to parency, integrity and action. have answers immediately, but before you give an answer, you What sort of background did you bring into your currenthave to make sure that youre speaking with the right knowledge role as Chief? What inspired you to run? and making sure that youre considering all sides before you make Nikki van Oirschot: My journey to becoming Chief ofany definitive responses or answers.Caldwell is deeply rooted in my experience as a communityDo you have any past or present projects/initiatives that member and a former councillor from the last term, and as theyoure especially proud of?chief of staff of one of the largest First Nations political organ- NV: I think that were proud of the development of some new izations in Canada, Anishinabek Nation. I was the chief of staffadvisory committees within the community. We are starting a there from 2021 until this past June. Over the years, Ive alsoUnity Committee, which is designed to bring our community developed skills in strategic planning, governance and advocacy,back together and promote that were all relations, a Two-Spirit and my education is in public administration and governanceAdvisory Committee, Cultural Committee and another few that from TMU [Toronto Metropolitan University]. Also, Ive just about completed my masters in public administration from Queens University. I think [these experiences are] critical in making sustainable changes, the whole culmination of those things, and hopefully it can help to uplift our Nation. My inspira-tion came from a desire to ensure that our Nations decisions are always made with transparency, with integrity and with the best interests of our people in mind. I consider it a sacred obligation when I was asked to run by several people in the community, and I wanted to uphold that teaching as well. I want to help create opportunities for youth and for our Elders and everyone in between, and strengthen our cultural practices, build a legacy of strong, accountable leadership for future generations and just do my best to build a brighter future for our community.What have been some of your biggest accomplishments so far?NV: Weve just finished four weeks into this term [as Chief and Council], so its very new indeed, but we are proud to haveChief Nikki van Oirschot receiving OjibwaChief Nikki van Oirschot helps at the birthing taken immediate steps towards improving transparency andPorcupine Quills gift box upon her graduationof wiigwaasi-jiimaan (birch canoe) built by with an Honors Bachelor of Arts in PublicCaldwell First Nation members and launched accountability, especially within our financial systems, and wereAdministration and Governance degree from Torontoon Caldwell First Nation ancestral territory now just taking a full, broad look at where our financial position is,Metropolitan University. known as Point Pelee National Park.34l I ssue1 2024/25C hIefs ofo ntarIoA dvocAte magazIne'