The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) in Canada has chosen Cindy Woodhouse, the Manitoba regional chief, as its new national chief, succeeding the previous leader who was removed in June amid leadership complaints. Woodhouse, a member of an Anishinaabe community in Manitoba and a graduate of the University of Winnipeg, becomes the second consecutive woman to hold the position.
The AFN is dedicated to advancing First Nations rights through development policy, public education, and collaborating on legislation. First Nations make up about 2.8% of Canada’s population, according to the 2021 census.
Woodhouse emerged victorious in the voting process that began with six candidates. The final competition narrowed down to Woodhouse and David Pratt, the vice-chief for the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations in Saskatchewan, who conceded to Woodhouse.
During a press conference, Woodhouse expressed gratitude for her election and pledged immediate action. She stated, “I will be on the phone this afternoon because our people need housing and our people need economic development. We need policing and justice for our communities.”
Woodhouse played a key role in negotiations leading to a settlement earlier this year with the federal government, securing a C$23.34 billion ($17.18 billion) agreement to compensate First Nations children and families for the harm caused by a discriminatory welfare system over decades.
Her predecessor, RoseAnne Archibald, the first woman to serve as AFN chief, was ousted in June following an external investigation that found Archibald had harassed two employees, with five others experiencing reprisals, as reported by CBC News. Archibald contested these findings.
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