William (Billy) Morin

William Morin IV (Cree: *Nahtokitopi*: "Rides a Sacred Horse";[1] born 1987 or 1988) known as Billy Morin is a Canadian Cree First Nations leader and was the elected Chief of Enoch Cree Nation from August 2015 to June 2022. He has built partnerships among Indigenous and non-Indigenous groups toward economic and social prosperity and reconciliation.[2]

Chief Morin accepting NAIT honorary degree

Ancestry and Relationships

Morin is named after Chief William (Billy) Morin I, and is a fifth-generation decedent of Chief Alexis Morin. He shares two sons and a daughter with his wife Felecia.[3][4]

Education

Morin graduated from Edmonton’s St. Francis Xavier Catholic High School, and is a graduate of the Civil Engineering Technology and Bachelor of Technology Management programs at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT). He also holds an Honourary Bachelor of Business Administration degree from NAIT. Before serving Enoch as Councillor and later Chief, he held positions with the City of Edmonton and Government of Alberta.[5]

Tenure as Chief of Enoch Cree Nation

In 2015, Chief Morin was elected as the youngest Chief in the history of Enoch Cree Nation (Maskêkosihk) at the age of 28 with a focus on economic development and strengthening relationships.[6] Morin had served for two years as a band councillor prior to his election as Chief, and as school board chair, housing board chair, economic development chair and also a member of the River Cree board.[7]

Chief Morin’s accomplishments at Enoch Cree Nation include revitalizing Cree language and culture, promoting Indigenous tourism,[8] advancing rural broadband connectivity,[9] building a new primary school,[10] initiating Edmonton’s first urban reserve,[11][12] concluding the first major investment through the Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation through the $1.5 billion Cascade natural gas power plant,[13] planning an Indigenous birthing and surgical centre,[14] repatriating children's services through the Maskêkosak Newowacistwan Nâtamâkêwin Society,[15] and signing a memorandum of understanding with the City of Edmonton to strengthen collaboration.[16]

Tenure as Grand Chief of the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations

In 2020, Chief Morin was elected by 16 other Chiefs to a one-year term as the Grand Chief of the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations.[17] Morin succeeded Dr. Wilton Littlechild from Maskwacis, a lawyer who served as MP for the Wetaskiwin area in the 80s and 90s, and former commissioner on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.[18]

During his term as Grand Chief, he led Treaty Six Chiefs’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic, advocated for affordable housing, Indigenous sovereign healthcare, sustainable resource development, and stronger relationships with the private sector to create more Indigenous jobs.[19] Morin also began working with the Government of Alberta to eliminate the Alberta Indian Tax Exemption (AITE) card and its redundant administration,[20] signed the Alberta Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations Protocol Agreement with the Government of Alberta.[21]

Regional Leadership

Morin has served on regional boards including Explore Edmonton,[22] the First Nation Capital Investment Partnership,[23] the Edmonton Region Hydrogen Hub,[24] and Alberta Cancer Foundation.[25]

References
  1. "Our Leaders - Alberta Cancer Foundation".
  2. "'More than just constituents:' Treaty Six Grand Chief Billy Morin building community in Alberta First Nations".
  3. "Enoch Cree Nation (ECN) - Business Elite Magazine". 21 September 2018.
  4. "Enoch's Youngest Chief Ever is Bullish About the Future of His Nation". 6 December 2021.
  5. "Enoch's Youngest Chief Ever is Bullish About the Future of His Nation - EDify". 6 December 2021.
  6. "PODCAST: Episode #47: The Brief: Unlocking the Modern Indigenous Economy with Chief Billy Morin of Enoch Cree Nation". 30 June 2021.
  7. "Enoch's Youngest Chief Ever is Bullish About the Future of His Nation". 6 December 2021.
  8. Johnson, Lisa (12 December 2018). "Province gives $575,000 boost to Indigenous tourism in Alberta". National Post.
  9. "Improvements coming for Indigenous communities with $300-million connectivity roll-out in Alberta".
  10. "New school in Enoch celebrates its grand opening". 25 September 2019.
  11. "Edmonton takes first step in establishing urban reserve".
  12. "Enoch Cree Nation Looks At Forming An Urban Reserve Inside Edmonton". 27 January 2021.
  13. "Alberta First Nation eyes bright future with $1.5 billion natural gas plant project".
  14. "Enoch's Youngest Chief Ever is Bullish About the Future of His Nation". 6 December 2021.
  15. "maskêkosak newowacistwan nâtamâkêwin society".
  16. "Grad set to establish Edmonton's first urban reserve".
  17. "Alberta's Treaty 6 appoints young, urban, business-minded Grand Chief".
  18. "Enoch's Billy Morin appointed Grand Chief of Treaty Six".
  19. "Billy Morin, chief of Enoch Cree Nation, appointed Grand Chief for Treaty 6". 3 January 2020.
  20. "Alberta 'white cards' for tax exemptions on reserve to be discontinued".
  21. "Confederacy Of Treaty Six First Nations Sign Protocol Agreement With Alberta". 2 January 2021.
  22. "Board of Directors - Explore Edmonton".
  23. "First Nations in Alberta band together to form investment partnership". The Hamilton Spectator. 27 January 2022.
  24. "'The race is on': Launch of Edmonton region hydrogen hub announced with $2 million funding".
  25. "Alberta Health Services - SUMMARY OF THE PUBLIC BOARD MEETING – September 17, 2021" (PDF).


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