A former candidate for national chief doesn’t think there is a clear favourite this time around.
The Assembly of First Nations kicked off its annual general assembly today in Toronto.
Tomorrow’s national chief election is the big item on this week’s agenda.
Little Black Bear Chief Perry Bellegarde, who was the runner-up in the AFN election three years ago, says today’s candidates’ speeches to the chiefs will have a big impact on tomorrow’s voting:
“There doesn’t seem to be any great consensus on who’s the front-runner right now in Saskatchewan, or who’s the frontrunner from chiefs across Canada. So, it’s going to interesting the day of the speeches, and I think that’s what people are looking for. They’ll assess the words, the speeches, the style, the leadership style — and make their decision from there.”
Speaking before today’s campaign addresses, Bellegarde said he would be listening for specifics, concrete details and action plans:
“I want to see their passion and commitment for rights — treaty rights and inherent rights. I’m looking more to the ‘how’. How will we see our treaties implemented, how will we see our rights recognized, how will we move forward together? The ‘how’ is going to be very, very important.”
Bellegarde admits incumbent Shawn Atleo might have an advantage on his competition, given the large number of challengers.
There are eight candidates in the running — and for the first time in the AFN’s history, that list includes four women.