Montana First Nation Chief Leonard Standingontheroad stepped into his role as Grand Chief of the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations on January 1, 2023, with a goal of creating economic stability for Treaty No. 6 Nations. He was first elected to Montana First Nation council in 2005 and again in 2008. In 2017, he was elected Chief and won a second term in 2020. During his time on council, Montana First Nation has successfully started a business titled, Akamihk Kanataskiy Ventures (AKV) Ltd., which continues to generate a financial stream for the Nation. A carpenter by trade, he worked for many years as a cabinet maker in Edmonton before returning

to his home community in 1994. He was the Nation’s liaison with Scott Construction Corporation when the company built a new water plant and water line through the Nation. He was part of the crew which built fifty new homes on the reserve over a five-year period. In 1999, he became the Housing Director and oversaw the construction of another ten homes under the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).

Raised with the Maskwacis Cree culture, its values, and traditions, Grand Chief Standingontheroad strives to practise that way of life. Grand Chief Standingontheroad is married and has three children, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Grand Chief Standingontheroad will draw on his experience as leader of his home Nation and as vice-chair of the Central Alberta Economic Partnership (CAEP) to organize Treaty No. 6 Chiefs, so they are included in government economic initiatives and resource development that affect Inherent Treaty Rights. “My goal is for us to work together to get proper training on policy and legislation for the Chiefs, so they are well-armed when they sit at these tables. It is important our Chiefs are at these tables and involved in the issues because we are always left out,” says Grand Chief Leonard Standingontheroad.