“I’m not interested in politics in Wendake today,” says Mr. Gros-Louis, who is running for the position of grand chief for the fifth time.
“I’m from Wendake. I have my roots here. I am the sixth generation, from father to son, who remains on the land next to the river,” recalls the candidate.
From the start of the interview with The Sun, he places a feather decorated with beads on the table in front of him. “It’s a sacred feather,” he says straight away. “I received it in 1999 when I was one of the main organizers of the burial of our Wendat ancestors in Ossossane,” he says happily. “It’s my greatest distinction.”
Transparency and democracy
“I am introducing myself because I realize that things need to be improved,” explains the trained linguist.
He particularly criticizes the management of the December 2023 referendum on the Rockmont reserve settlement agreement and the creation of the Rockmont trust. He argues that “the referendum could have been more democratic”.
“I’m not saying that nothing has been done, but I want to go even further in democracy and transparency,” he specifies.
Evaluator for the Government of Canada as part of the two billion trees program and road flagger, Michel Gros-Louis believes “that there must be dialogues within families and the Nation”.
The candidate recalls “the important role that women played in Huron-Wendat society.” He says he “relies on the wisdom of the ancestors” to suggest the creation of a “circle composed of one woman per family group who would assist the head of the family”.
Michel Gros-Louis submitted his candidacy for the position of grand chef in 2004, 2008, 2012, 2020 and 2024. (Frédéric Matte/Le Soleil)
Still in the interest of transparency, Mr. Gros-Louis proposes “displaying the salaries of executives on the website” of the Nation.
Share interests
Michel Gros-Louis advocates the distribution of interest produced by the compensation of 148 million obtained following the settlement of the Rockmont claim. He suggests that interests be redistributed annually and equally among all members of the Nation. The candidate plans to create a foundation for members of the Nation who refuse the money.
“For me, the interests do not belong to the Band Council, they belong to all the individuals of the Nation who have been injured,” he says. “The Council is going to reinvest in structures and we may never see the benefits unless they do something like I am proposing.”
Mr. Gros-Louis deplores the compensation which he considers insufficient and condemns the fact that the restitution of the territory of the Rockmont reserve was excluded from the final agreement. “It’s a territory where we could have had another village,” says the author of the book. The Huron-Wendats: new perspectives.
The agreement between the Huron-Wendat Nation and the Government of Canada, however, provides for the possibility of acquiring nearly 39 km² of land by mutual agreement, the equivalent of the area of the Rockmont reserve and in a location decided by the Nation.
It is also expected that the amount of compensation, placed in a trust, will be used to improve the service offering offered to members.
“The shopping center is my baby”
Interspersed with several personal anecdotes, Mr. Gros-Louis’ suggestions are numerous. The conversation is disjointed.
Grocery store, swimming pool, shopping center and enhanced cultural offering: Michel Gros-Louis wants to “share resources with the people”.
“If I am elected, I will not impose my thoughts. It’s going to be a dialogue,” assures Michel Gros-Louis. (Michel Gros-Louis)
“We urgently need a swimming pool,” he maintains.
But the construction of a shopping center is at the top of his priorities. “The mall is my baby. Konrad Sioui, it was the arena. It was his work,” he compares.
He also proposes building the shopping center near the sports center, but remains open to possibilities. “No matter where it would be, it would be a plus for the population to have a grocery store and a store. All natives, not just the Wendat, could save the tax by being at home.” He mentions the opportunity for “significant job creation”.
Asked about the housing issue facing the community, the candidate explains prioritizing the renovation of existing structures and the management of “internal problems” in the construction of new housing.
Michel Gros-Louis does not, however, plan to put an end to the residential rental project of 235 housing units located in the önonta’ sector. “I’m introducing myself, but I don’t want to stop anything. The 235 housing units, if they want to have them, I will not stop them,” he specifies. “I arrive on duty, we look at the files and we move forward.”
The Sun presents to you, over the coming days, the portrait of the four candidates in the race for the leadership of the Huron-Wendat Nation.
Thursday: Jennifer O’Bomsawin
Friday: Pierre Picard
Today: Michel Gros-Louis
Sunday: René Gros-Louis
