Anishinabek Nation 2018 Leadership Election

When is the 2018 Anishinabek Nation leadership election?

The Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Assembly will be held in Fort William First Nation from June 5-7, 2018. This year’s assembly also includes the election of the Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief and Regional Deputy Grand Council Chiefs.

  • nominations will take place on Tuesday, June 5
  • traditional election will take place on Wednesday, June 6

Currently, there is one (1) Grand Council Chief and one (1) Deputy Grand Council Chief. Effective this election, the Deputy Grand Council Chief position will be replaced with four (4) Regional Deputy Grand Council Chief positions. These four (4) regions are: Northern Superior, Southwest, Southeast, Lake Huron.


Why are we going to have four Regional Deputy Grand Council Chief positions?

The replacement of the Deputy Grand Council Chief position with four (4) Regional Deputy Grand Council Chiefs will allow for more capacity and political representation at the regional level.


How is a candidate eligible for the position of Grand Council Chief?

A candidate must:

  • be an Anishinabek from a First Nation situated in Ontario (whether or not said First Nation is a member of the Corporation)
  • be of the full age of 18 and over
  • be nominated by a Chief of a member First Nation of the Corporation


How is a candidate eligible for the position of Regional Deputy Grand Council Chief?

A candidate must:

  • be an Anishinabek from a First Nation situated in their respective region (whether or not said First Nation is a member of the Corporation)
  • be the full age of 18 and over
  • be nominated by a Chief of a member First Nation of the Corporation from the respective region


Additional information:

  • the nominees for the Grand Council Chief and Regional Deputy Grand Council Chief positions do not need to be an elected Chief or Councillor of a First Nation. It is up to the Chiefs in the region to choose who they would like to do the regional work on their behalf.
  • nominators will have five (5) minutes to introduce their nominee for both the Grand Council Chief and Regional Deputy Grand Council Chief positions on June 5.
  • candidates for both the Grand Council Chief and Regional Deputy Grand Council Chief positions will have ten (10) minutes to address the Chiefs-in-Assembly on June 6.
  • each region will elect their Regional Deputy Grand Council Chief in a standing vote similar to the Grand Council Chief Election.

For more information, please contact:

Sarah St. Louis
Executive Services Coordinator
Anishinabek Nation

sarah.st.louis@anishinabek.ca