Protecting Treaty Rights and Strengthening Our Sovereignty
Protecting our rights while strengthening our ability to determine our own future.
Thunderchild First Nation · Treaty 6 Territory
Re-Elect Delbert Wapass for Chief
Rooted in Community. Leading For Generations.
A fluent nēhiyawēwin speaker, educator, and four-term Chief bringing family, language, and experienced leadership to Thunderchild First Nation.
4Terms as Chief
16Years of service
nēhiyawēwinFluent speaker
Treaty 6Thunderchild First Nation
Biography
Family, language, and a lifetime of service
Delbert Wapass is a band member of Thunderchild First Nation in Treaty 6 territory, Saskatchewan. His background brings together First Nations leadership, teaching, governance, community development, and sport.
Family, language and community
Delbert’s story begins with family. He was raised by omosôma, Peter Wapass, and ohkoma, Bella Wapass, his grandfather and grandmother. Their place in his upbringing is an important part of his personal story and the family connections he carries into his public life.
A fluent nēhiyawēwin speaker, Delbert brings his language and lived experience to his work as a leader. Alongside his professional accomplishments, these personal roots are essential to understanding who he is.
An athlete, coach, and mentor
Volleyball has been another important part of Delbert’s life. He has competed at an elite level and coached for many years, bringing experience as both an athlete and a mentor.
His involvement in the sport spans the demands of competition and the responsibility of guiding others — experience that complements his work in classrooms, community institutions, and leadership roles.
Experience in learning and leadership
Delbert holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Regina and a Bachelor of Education and a Master of Education from the University of Saskatchewan. His professional experience includes teaching, school administration, research, and governance negotiation.
His service extends beyond Thunderchild First Nation. He was elected to two terms as an executive member of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, with portfolio responsibilities including education, health, lands and resources, sports, culture, and youth. He has also worked as a governance negotiator with the Assembly of First Nations.
He has served as chair of the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies, First Nations University of Canada, and Saskatchewan Indigenous Cultural Center, contributing to institutions that support First Nations learning, skills, and cultural continuity.
Building relationships and opportunities
In August 2024, Delbert signed a memorandum of understanding between Thunderchild First Nation and the University of Saskatchewan, establishing a framework for collaboration in mentorship, research, and support for Indigenous youth.
In 2025, he joined the SaskPower Board of Directors, adding provincial Crown corporation governance to his experience in First Nations leadership and institutional service.
As he seeks re-election, Delbert brings together the personal foundations of a fluent nēhiyawēwin speaker raised by his grandparents, the experience of an athlete and longtime coach, and a career in community leadership.
Delbert Wapass has served four terms as Chief of Thunderchild First Nation, including his current 2022–2026 term — approximately 16 years in total.
1998–2002First term as Chief
2010–2018Two consecutive terms
2022–2026Current term
Governance priorities
Rooted in Community. Leading Generations.
Four commitments that protect rights, bring people together, grow prosperity with transparency, and keep nēhiyawēwin and culture strong.
Building an Inclusive and United Nation
One Nation, with respect and a sense of belonging for every member.
Building Lasting Economic Prosperity Through Transparency
Growing our Nation’s wealth responsibly and ensuring members understand the results.
Sustaining nēhiyawēwin, Culture, and Identity
Keeping our language living and our cultural knowledge strong across generations.
Operational priorities
Turning direction into everyday results
Every department will align goals, budgets, timelines, and measurable results with the Nation’s governance priorities.
Four-year roadmap
A clear path from 2026 to 2030
The plan is organized in fiscal years so every department can align goals, budgets, timelines, and measurable results with the Nation’s governance priorities.
2026 – 2027
AssessPlanLaunchReview
Build the foundation.
2027 – 2028
ExpandApproveImplementEvaluate
Grow and improve services.
2028 – 2029
StrengthenSustainEmbedReview
Make progress consistent.
2029 – 2030
EvaluateCompleteReportContinue
Show results and prepare continuity.
Campaign events
Come out, listen, and vote
Meet Delbert in person this week at the candidates forum and at advance polls in Saskatoon and Edmonton.
Saskatoon
Get directionsEdmonton
Get directionsOur people. Our land. Our future.
Gallery
Community, family, and leadership
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Rooted in Community. Leading For Generations.
Re-elect Delbert Wapass for Chief of Thunderchild First Nation.