Outgoing Manitoba Grand Chief Derek Nepinak chose not to seek re-election.
CBC News Posted: Jul. 19, 2017
Arlen Dumas, chief of the Mathias Colomb Cree Nation, has been elected grand chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs.
Outgoing Grand Chief Derek Nepinak posted a congratulatory message to Dumas on his Facebook page.
Dumas was elected after the first ballot with 33 out of 54 possible votes. He defeated four other candidates to succeed Nepinak:
- Craig Blacksmith of Dakota Plains Wahpeton Oyate.
- David Kobliski of Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation.
- Sharon Mason of Wasagamack First Nation.
- Garry McLean of Lake Manitoba Treaty 2 First Nation.
"I am honoured to be so strongly supported by my colleagues along with my community members, family and friends," Dumas said in a news release.
Dumas, who was born and raised in Pukatawagan, Man. ,was elected chief of MCCN in 2008 at the age of 33.
In an interview with CBC Manitoba's Up to Speed on Wednesday, Nepinak called Dumas a friend and said he is well-respected among First Nations leaders in Manitoba.
....