NIPPISSING – Many First Nation leaders are calling the day historic as the first female Ontario Regional Chief was selected in a traditional ceremony at the 44TH Annual All Ontario Chiefs Conference today hosted by Nipissing First Nation, in the Anishinabek territory.
Newly elected Ontario Regional Chief RoseAnne Archibald defeated incumbent Ontario Regional Chief Isadore Day after several ballots in the traditional stand-up election.
Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Glen Hare has congratulated Ontario Regional Chief RoseAnne Archibald, the first female in the role at the Chiefs of Ontario level, who was elected during the 44th Annual All Ontario Chiefs Conference hosted by Nipissing First Nation.
“We at the Anishinabek Nation congratulate our new leader, RoseAnne Archibald, who is the first woman leader at the Ontario level,” says Grand Council Chief Hare. “That gives us a good picture of where our governance is going in our communities. There are more female leaders in our communities and that’s so awesome to see. We’re getting more balance, and there are lots of new ideas at the table.”
The final round of voting in the traditional stand-up election saw RoseAnne Archibald with 67 votes, incumbent Isadore Day with 36 votes and Ava Hill with 13 votes.
“I’m looking forward to working with the Provincial-Territorial Organizations and new leaders such as RoseAnne. We have our work cut out, but everyone is smiling and we need to work together as one to get it done,” says Grand Council Chief Hare. “I would also like to say Miigwech to Isadore Day for his commitment and leadership over the past few years.”
Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler, on behalf of NAN Chiefs and the Executive Council, congratulates RoseAnne Archibald on her election as Ontario Regional Chief during the 44th Annual All Ontario Chiefs Conference hosted by Nipissing First Nation:
“On behalf of NAN I am pleased to congratulate our friend and colleague on her election as the first female Ontario Regional Chief. RoseAnne’s heart has always been with our people, I am confident she will be a strong advocate for the North in this challenging new role. I would like to acknowledge former Regional Chief Isadore Day and thank him for his leadership over the past three years. We look forward to working closely with RoseAnne and strengthening our relationship with Chiefs of Ontario.”
The Mushkegowuk Council of Chiefs, including Grand Chief Jonathon Solomon and Deputy Grand Chief Rebecca Friday, extends their wholehearted congratulatory sentiments to Roseanne Archibald for earning the position of Regional Chief for the Chiefs of Ontario.
Grand Chief Solomon says; “Rosanne brings to the Ontario First Nations a wealth of knowledge and an extensive political background that she earned throughout her journey in life; which includes time as the Chief for her home community of Taykwa Tagamou Nation, her term when she was our 1st female Grand Chief for the Mushkegowuk Council and her term as Deputy Grand Chief for the Nishnawbe Aski Nation. She is definitely a proven strong leader and we are very confident that she will work with and represent us effectively at the regional, provincial and national levels. You have our support and we look forward to working with you Rosanne.”
In a media release from Chiefs of Ontario, they state, “Regional Chief RoseAnne Archibald ran a calm, respectful and heart-centered leadership. The Ontario Regional Chief is a member of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Executive and the Chair of the Political Confederacy for the Chiefs of Ontario. In this capacity, she is mandated to deal with the federal and provincial governments on certain issues relevant to First Nations within Ontario.”
“The Chiefs of Ontario is a political forum and secretariat for collective decision-making, action, and advocacy for the 133 First Nations communities located within the boundaries of the province of Ontario. The Regional Chief’s activities are guided by our Chiefs-in-Assembly who represent the Anishinabek, Mushkegowuk, Onkwehonwe, and Lenape Peoples.
“With their guidance and direction, the Regional Chief’s primary role is to actively advocate our First Nations’ inherent and Treaty rights are protected, respected and implemented. Much effort is allocated to reminding and pressing the federal and provincial governments of their obligations and responsibilities in implementing Treaties and to ensure they respect our Peoples’ inherent and Treaty rights.”
