Sheila North, former Grand Chief of Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, has announced her candidacy to become the next national chief of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN).
“I think it’s time to bring the Assembly of First Nations back to the leaders of Canada, because it’s their organization,” she said Thursday at a news conference in Winnipeg.
“The chiefs do not work for the APN; the AFN should work for the leaders. »
Mme North, a former journalist and member of the Bunibonibee Cree Nation, champions the cause of missing and murdered Indigenous women.
She told reporters she had the right qualifications, training and entourage to become the next national leader, adding that she had received support from Bunibonibee Cree Nation Chief Richard Hart and others Across the country.
Mme North is currently working with the International Commission on Missing Persons, which consults with indigenous communities interested in searching for unmarked graves near former residential school sites.
She said that if elected, she would continue in this role, which involves helping the group facilitate community engagement sessions. But she would make changes to ensure the work was not hampered by her new position, she assured.
The upcoming election comes after the dramatic ouster of former national leader RoseAnne Archibald, who was removed after her colleagues accused her of creating a toxic work environment – an allegation she continues to deny.
The deadline for applications is 1er November and the vote is expected to take place on December 6 during a special meeting of chiefs in Ottawa.
Other candidates in the running
David Pratt was the first to announce his intention to run as the new national leader in August.
Mr. Pratt is currently Vice-Chief of the Federation of Sovereign Aboriginal Nations, an organization representing 74 First Nations in Saskatchewan.
In his announcement, Mr. Pratt said the AFN is at a “critical juncture” and the elections are about restoring and rebuilding the national organization.
Its platform focuses on unity and inclusion, reconciliation and rights, economic empowerment and environmental stewardship.
Manitoba Regional Chief Cindy Woodhouse, the Assembly of First Nations’ lead negotiator for a historic child welfare settlement passed this week, announced her candidacy earlier this month.
Mme Woodhouse said growing up in Pinaymootang First Nation, she saw a disparity between her community and non-Indigenous communities. As a result, she emphasized, she is dedicated to making the lives of First Nations people more equal.
In announcing her candidacy, she said one of her priorities would be working on First Nations policing, saying communities face many challenges and Ottawa isn’t listening enough.
Mme Woodhouse also maintained that she was a “bridge builder”, who would work to renew and strengthen relationships at the federal and provincial levels.