Tribal Council Chief Arcand was honoured as CTV Saskatoon’s Citizen of the Year for working towards reconciliation and helping the unhoused population in the city.

He was instrumental in the opening of the new Emergency Wellness Centre in November. The Centre was moved to the Fairhaven neighborhood after being located for nearly a year on First Avenue North. The Emergency Wellness Centre can accommodate 106 people. Four open houses were held for the residents of Fairhaven to explain the vision and future of the new facility.

Tribal Chief Arcand was also involved in organizing two urban pow wows with a focus on reconciliation. These events were attended by more than 10,000 people.

“I share this with the entire Saskatoon Tribal Council Team, from our member chiefs to our employees, we cannot accomplish everything we did without the support of everyone,” he said. “It is truly a team effort. We do everything for the people first and foremost. We do what’s right to help our community.”

Other accomplishments this year included the distribution of 2,000 backpacks to less fortunate children going back to school and raising money to introduce two mental health crisis vans for the streets and schools of Saskatoon. The vans are home to councilors that visit Saskatchewan inner city schools and supply mental health supports. In the evening, the vans are used by Medavie paramedics to help with their evening calls.

Tribal Chief Arcand is a member of the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation and is a married father of four children and three grandchildren. He has lived in Saskatoon for nearly three decades.

The Citizen of the Year is selected by a panel of judges from submitted community nominations.