Memorandum regarding the upcoming Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Assembly

April 25, 2018

MEMORANDUM

TO:             Anishinabek Nation

FROM:        Gary Dokis, Chief Executive Officer

DATE:         April 2018

SUBJECT: Anishinabek Nation Election Candidate information

Planning for the Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Assembly is well underway! The assembly will take place in Fort William First Nation, from June 5th– 7th, 2018. This year’s assembly will host the election of the Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief and Regional Deputy Grand Chiefs. Nominations are to take place Tuesday June 5, 2018 in the afternoon. Leadership will then have their traditional stand up election vote on Wednesday, June 6th, 2018.

The current one (1) position of Deputy Grand Council Chief will transition into four (4) Regional Deputy Grand Council Chief positions. This change in political structure will allow for more capacity and political representation at the regional level.

These five (5) positions will have a term of three (3) years. Current leadership and citizens who are interested in candidacy should consider the criteria below.

To be 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; and
  • Be nominated by a Chief of a member First Nation of the Corporation.

To be eligible for the position of Regional 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 of the full age of 18 and over; and
  • Be nominated by a Chief of a member First Nation of the Corporation from the respective region.

As per the UOI By-Laws, the Grand Chief and Regional Deputy Grand Chief positions do not need to be an elected Chief or Councilor of a First Nation. It is up to the Region to choose who they would like to do the Regional work on their behalf through this election process.

Nominations for both the Grand Council Chief and the Deputy Grand Chief positions will take place on June 5th, 2018, where nominators will have 5 minutes to introduce their candidate. Nominees will have the opportunity to address leadership prior to the vote on June 6, 2018.

Each Region will elect their Regional Deputy Grand Chief in a standing vote similar to the Grand Council Chief election.

If you have any questions or would like to request further information, please contact Sarah St.Louis, Executive Services Coordinator, at sarah.st.louis@anishinabek.ca

Miigwech