Here we go again…

Drum roll please… Get the red carpet out and shine the lights on the new leader for the next four years. Yes, the “Nice Guy” campaign might actually work for Matthew Coon Come, with a higher than usual rating, and yes, of course, a spinoff election is looming. Yep, another run at high-ranking political craftsmanship for both Matthews, both of whom have held just about every title there is in Aboriginal politics, including some stints into the black magic martial arts.

Campaign poster wise, one Matthew’s poster was rather artistic with neat graphic facial renditions, appealing to those stuck in the late ’60s and early ’70s. Quite reminiscent of the old hippie posters by Andy Warhol everyone had on their teenaged walls. Black light, anyone?

The other Matthew (Mukash), a great portrait I must add, but still a major contender for a renewed relationship with power. This race is close, so close it’s eerie. For example, both are called Matthew, both married, former chiefs, etc… so, I predict interesting things will happen with all the dualistic similarities and coincidences confusing everyone come election day.

Meanwhile, the internationally known Ashley Iserhoff gets to rough it out for a second run as Deputy Grand Chief. In the first round, he easily outran everyone everywhere, almost effortlessly it seemed. A close bet that rising star Bella Moses Petawabano has a strong chance, due to her well-known history in health issues, something on everyone’s minds these days, with swine flu and all that.

This grand popularity contest is even more polished and slicker than even the last time due to high-tech messaging in all medias. Also, I think it had a lot to do with the number of campaign posters strewn everywhere a bulletin board sits in every major Cree public area. Soon, these posters will be replaced for the new job postings in Eeyou Istchee, hopefully after campaign promises are kept. Jobs are needed, badly.

Talking about jobs, I wonder what the guys who held elected offices will do. Will they be exchanged in favour of a new team for the new Grand Chief, or will they stick with who’s there? Are the jobs ousted politicians held before still available to jump back into, or do they have to wait for another election? What do these people do in the time they’re not campaigning? I suppose they held jobs that they earned or are they just politicians, jumping from one electoral job opening to another? Who knows?

This is what really bothers me about trying out for politics – it’s an all-or-nothing scenario. At least with an earned job, you know you can do the job you have. But what happens when your job has an expiry date, like say, for chief? I would imagine that some chiefs have a hard time getting back into the employment scene if they didn’t set themselves up before leaving office for an uncertain and perhaps an unemployable future. Jobs for chief are few and far apart, so what does one do? Do what a now infamous national self-proclaimed Aboriginal leader did, start your own national organization and say it represents everyone.

I think that works for those who start their own religion or a new political party. Remember the Rhinoceros Party? I always voted for them every federal election. Perhaps we could start a new political movement, away from the strict guidelines of the constitution, so we can make our own laws and hopefully prevent people from harming themselves from over drinking or going into deep credit-card debt. Oops, I forgot, we can already do that.