NAN Congratulates Cindy Woodhouse as Newly Elected Assembly of First Nations National Chief
THUNDER BAY, ON: Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler, on behalf of the Executive Council, congratulates Cindy Woodhouse on her election as National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN):
“On behalf of the people of Nishnawbe Aski Nation I am pleased to congratulate our friend Cindy Woodhouse on her election as our new National Chief. Cindy is an accomplished leader who will bring new ideas and perspectives to the Assembly of First Nations and will be a strong advocate for our members and First Nations across the country.
It is important that we heal from the divisiveness of the past few years and unite in support of our new National Chief. There is a lot of work to do to advance the interests of our Nations with our federal Treaty partner and I am confident that Cindy can reconnect the AFN with First Nations and lead us in a good way. We expect that the National Chief will be visible across NAN territory so she can understand and advance the priorities of our communities.
We acknowledge New Brunswick Regional Chief Joanna Bernard for her calm and steady guidance as Interim National Chief during a very difficult time. Her outstanding leadership has helped restore confidence in our national organization.
We also acknowledge all the candidates who answered the call and accepted nominations to lead First Nations at the national level. The ideas and enthusiasm they have brought to this Assembly has energized us as leaders and helped restore our faith in the Assembly of First Nations.”
Woodhouse was elected after six ballots and the concession of David Pratt during the Special Chiefs Assembly in Ottawa. A member of the Anishinaabe community of Pinaymootang First Nation, she most recently represented First Nations in the Manitoba region on the Executive Committee of the Assembly of First Nations as Manitoba Regional Chief. The National Chief will be invited to address Chiefs and leaders from across NAN territory at the NAN Chiefs Winter Assembly, to be held February 6-8, 2024, in Thunder Bay.
For more information please contact:
Michael Heintzman,
Director of Communications
Cell: (807) 621-2790
mheintzman@nan.ca