NORTH BATTLEFORD - Wayne (Semaganis) Baptiste hopes to make a positive difference in the community if he is elected as mayor of North Battleford.
He is one of three candidates vying for the position.
Semaganis has a strong history in leadership and believes he would be good for the role. Semaganis served as chief of Little Pine First Nation for 12 years and is currently involved in the Battlefords Tribal Council.
The candidate is also a family man, and is married with seven adult children. Originally from Little Pine First Nation, Semaganis currently resides in North Battleford.
Tackling some important issues like improving public safety and addressing taxation are among his priorities if elected.
Semaganis also hopes to reduce property and business tax, and develop more health, housing and recreation facilities.
He notes residents are struggling right now as a city with a high taxes, homelessness, poverty, and crime. He adds there's a lot of initiatives that are going to need extra help, and he has that experience to help address these issues.
Semaganis also wants to improve inclusivity in the community.
The hopeful believes with the history of the First Nations in North Battleford, First Nation people are a big part of not only the residential area, but also a big part of the business community as well.
He believes he has all the qualifications it takes to be a good mayor for the City of North Battleford.
Semaganis notes there's a lot of responsibility that comes with the position, and especially when it comes to working with First Nations and Métis relations.
As a First Nation person, the candidate believes he would be able to bring forth various issues and talk about them, and create a bridge between the two communities - non-Indigenous and Indigenous - so everyone has a better future moving ahead.
He feels the community will have a better, positive future, instead of always having a wall dividing it.
Semaganis wants to address these issues.
He also wants to work with the business community, work with the churches, and work with the everyone, and get involved in projects like a new North West College campus, and a new arena.
Semaganis believes the community will move forward by having plans in place, so that all of North Battleford benefits.
