Meili has 11 caucus partners, and Betty Nippi-Albright was the first to hint at having an interest in running.

Even before Meili officially announced her decision on Friday morning, the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Peoples tweeted its support for Nippi-Albright’s candidacy.

“This is an opportunity for Saskatchewan to finally have a brave, charismatic and strong Indigenous Treaty First Nations voice leading provincial politics. Someone who will do the right thing for our next generation. That leader is Betty Nippi-Albright,” FSIN wrote.

FSIN represents the First 74 Countries in the province.

On Sunday, Nippi-Albright, MLA for the Saskatoon Centre, wrote a thread on Twitter discussing his thoughts on possible leadership, calling the support he has received “humiliating.”

“I wonder, is Saskatchewan ready to be led by a strong and vocal First Nations woman? I know because racism is so ingrained and because I don’t come from a privileged background — it will be very difficult to run for leadership. And in the end, to Premier,” wrote Nippi-Albright.

He said he would make the decision in consultation with family and supporters over the next few weeks.

The other MLA NDPs have also not officially announced their intention to run.

About the party leader candidate, Regina University MLA Aleana Young told CBC News she was “thinking it.”

“It’s been a contemplative weekend, with a lot to consider and be grateful for. At this critical time in Saskatchewan, who wouldn’t want a chance to stick with this government? But as they say, in politics timing is everything. I’m talking to my family, listening to people in the community, and thinking about it.”

On Monday, Regina Lakeview MLA Carla Beck appeared to have a level of support to run when her “Carla Beck Drafts for Leaders” page launched on Facebook.

Beck responded to questions about his interest in party leadership in a statement to CBC News.

“I want to say how much I appreciate the support call I got. I’ve had some very good conversations. In our party and in government, we need more listening, more ideas, more people feeling like them. ‘is part of building the future of our province together,” Beck wrote.

“The Sask. Party is tired and running out of ideas to build unity. We have a lot of work to do to bring people together across the province. I am committed to continuing my work, bringing people in and building people. And I’m looking forward to being a part of it.” from the renewed Saskatchewan NDP team — in whatever role that role — and show Sask voters the NDP is ready to rule again.”

MLA Nicole Sarauer (Regina Douglas Park), who was interim leader from June 2017 to March 2018, has yet to comment on her level of interest in leadership.

The party needs to develop, says the professor

Tom McIntosh, a professor of politics and international studies at Regina University, said the NDP needed someone who could come together and help grow the party.

“It’s complicated because you need someone who can defend the urban base you have and build on it,” he said. “You have to find someone who can reach out and communicate effectively with the smaller urban centers and get some kind of message across to rural Saskatchewan. The rural-urban gap in this province seems to be getting more and more stark.”

McIntosh said Meili was unable to unite the party and that was evidenced by her 72 percent support at the leadership convention last fall.

“You can’t win a government with two big cities,” he said.

McIntosh said the party needed to earn a spot in places like Prince Albert and Moose Jaw – seats that could be won and retained during the 1990s and early 2000s.

“They need someone to unite the party behind himself and behind a new leader and maybe from the caucus but we will wait and see,” he said.

Sally Housser, who worked as press secretary for the late former federal NDP leader Jack Layton and helped run the leadership race to choose a successor, said the party needed to develop its base.

“You can’t form a government without growing membership but also reaching beyond our base,” he said.

Most recently, Housser was interim chief of staff for Meili following the 2020 election and is now senior manager of public affairs for the Canada Strategy Group.

Housser said the race must include at least one person from outside the party caucus.

“I think it would be an asset to the party and no disrespect to current caucus members, but to have someone who is not a current caucus member on the ground,” he said.

Housser said having at least one candidate from outside the caucus would help increase interest in the party and also help raise money.

He said the party needed to hit a “sweet spot” of three to four candidates to provide “vote diversity.”

Wotherspoon, Clark won’t run

Two potential lead candidates expressed their intention not to enter the race in posts on social media this weekend.

MLA Trent Wotherspoon (Regina Rosemont) lost the leadership voice to Meili in 2018.

“I know the sacrifices and struggles it takes to serve as a leader and run for leadership. At this stage of our family’s life, I just wasn’t ready to make those sacrifices,” he said.

“I am committed and motivated to serve as MLA and a full member of the team. To do the hard work going into the next election to deliver change.”

Wotherspoon was first elected in 2007 and served only in opposition.

He was interim leader for 14 months in 2016 and 2017, following the election defeat of party leader Cam Broten.

He told CBC News on Saturday that the next leader has the opportunity to build the party and to “build trust with people throughout our province.”

“We had the opportunity to find someone very strong to bring some new energy, some change, inspiring vision, and to have a fire in the belly.”

Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark also publicly announced that he was not interested in seeking NDP leadership.

“To be clear, I didn’t want the job. I am fully focused on leading Saskatoon now in this important time of recovery and growth as mayor of the largest city in the province. I know this race is critical,” Clark wrote.

Clark said “at this time Saskatchewan needs a provincial leader who will shape a common vision, unite our diverse community and foster commonalities among us.”

Leadership rules and timeline can be decided by mid-March

The process and timing for selecting a new leader will be the responsibility of the provincial council, which is made up of members of the constituent associations.

The board meets this weekend and again on March 19. The board will elect a five-member leadership contest committee that will agree to remain neutral.

All party members will be eligible to elect a new leader.

Meili said she would recommend parties fill positions sooner rather than later.