NAN press release
NAN Chiefs re-elect Stan Beardy as Grand Chief
CHAPLEAU CREE FIRST NATION, Aug. 12 /CNW/ - Chiefs and proxies from Nishnawbe Aski Nation's (NAN) 49 First Nation communities re-elected Stan Beardy as Grand Chief this afternoon during the XXVIII Keewaywin Chiefs Conference in Chapleau Cree First Nation.
"It is a great honour to be elected to an unprecedented fourth term as Grand Chief of Nishnawbe Aski Nation," said Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Stan Beardy, a member of Muskrat Dam First Nation and the first NAN Grand Chief to be elected to four consecutive terms. "It is a great responsibility to be chosen by the Chiefs to represent the people of Nishnawbe Aski, and I will do my best to uphold the trust they have placed in me."
Beardy was elected along with three Deputy Grand Chiefs who are responsible for specific portfolios at NAN including education, health, justice, and governance. Elected as Deputy Grand Chief were:
1. Terry Waboose, of Eabametoong First Nation (Incumbent)
2. Mike Metatawabin, of Fort Albany First Nation
3. Les Louttit, of Fort Albany First Nation
The new NAN Executive Council was sworn into office immediately. The Keewaywin Conference continues on Thursday August 13 in Chapleau under the direction of the new Executive Council.
Nishnawbe Aski Nation is a political territorial organization representing 49 First Nation communities in James Bay Treaty 9 and Ontario portions of Treaty 5 - an area covering two thirds of the province of Ontario.
-30-
/For further information: please visit www.nanelection.ca or contact:
Michael Heintzman, Media Relations Officer, Nishnawbe Aski Nation, (807) 621-2790 mobile; Larry Amos, Head Electoral Officer, (204) 677-0239/
+++++++++++++
From Wawatay News
Beardy re-elected to fourth term
August 12, 2009
Stan Beardy has been re-elected for his fourth consecutive term as Grand Chief of Nishnawbe Aski Nation.
“It’s very emotional for me,” Beardy said, after the second ballot, where he received 26 votes while fellow Muskrat Dam community member Alvin Fiddler received 20 votes. “When I came here, I told my wife to come along. I told her, whatever happens, that is what I will accept.
“This is the fourth time you have elected me on as your leader. We have many young leaders that are highly educated. We have many leaders with much experience. We have a lot of talent to choose from.
“I will work (for) and treat everybody equal. I will work hard for all the First Nations. I will be there when you need me. I will continue to do my best and uphold the office of the Grand Chief.”
Beardy received 23 votes out of the 46 cast in the first ballot; Fiddler received 14 votes, David Neegan 5 votes and RoseAnne Archibald 4 votes.
The NAN election process requires 50 per cent of the votes plus one, which would have been 23 votes plus one.
Archibald was dropped after the first ballot due to her lowest vote total, and Neegan requested to be dropped from the second ballot.
