Earl Commanda's successor has been elected to lead the Anishinabek Nation.
The election was held today at the Best Western, in North Bay.
Further details are included in the following news release sent out today by the Union of Ontario Indians: ___________________________________________
Beaucage elected to lead Anishinabek Nation
(NORTH BAY)
The Anishinabek Nation has elected itís second leader in sixteen months, as the 42 First Nation Chiefs-in-Assembly voted to elect John Beaucage as its Grand Council Chief.
Beaucage, of Wasauksing First Nation near Parry Sound, won on the first ballot at a special Grand Council assembly held today in North Bay, Ontario.
This election will fill the vacancy created by August's voluntary resignation of Earl Commanda, who was elected in May 2003. Grand Council Chief Beaucage will serve the remainder of the current three-year term, which will expire in June 2006.
"I'm pleased to have been given this mandate from you, the Chiefs, and look forward to working with you, and working for the citizens of the Anishinabek Nation," said Grand Council Chief John Beaucage.
John Beaucage won on the first ballot, with the support of 30 delegates in attendance, which represents more than the fifty percent needed to be elected. The only other nominee, Mike Hardy Jr., of Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging (Rocky Bay) received 12 votes.
In his acceptance speech, Grand Council Chief John Beaucage spoke of a period of change and strengthening for the Anishinabek Nation in the years to come.
"The Anishinabek Nation is in a real period of change. We'll need a framework for how this (First Nation) government will proceed for the next 10, 15, 20 years," said Grand Council Chief Beaucage.
"We really need some good direction so we can once again set the standard for the rest of Canada for what a First Nations political organization is there for."
First on the new Grand Council Chief's agenda is to strengthen the organization, by addressing the divisions caused by the ongoing litigation over Casino Rama, and further support for the self-government negotiations with Canada.
"We have to put our hand out and work with Mnjikaning so we are speaking with one voice. That includes bringing them back in the Union of Ontario Indians," said Beaucage.
"We also have to move ahead, and move faster in our self-government process. We have to make that a number one priority," said Grand Council Chief Beaucage
Runner-up, Mike Hardy was supportive in his conciliatory remarks.
"It's all about winning for the Anishinabek Nation, there are no losers here. We are moving ahead," said Hardy.
Beaucage, 52, is the elected Chief of Wasausking First Nation, and has served in that capacity for the past eight years. Beaucage also owns a property management business based on Parry Island. He has also worked for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation in Ottawa, Toronto and Regina. Beaucage has previously served as the Lake Huron regional Board Member for the Union of Ontario Indians, and presently sits on the Chiefís Committee that provides advice and direction to the Anishinabek Nation self-government negotiations with Canada.
As leader of the Anishinabek Nation, the Grand Council Chief has the primary responsibility for the collective political advocacy of its member First Nations across Ontario, and serves as President of the Union of Ontario Indians.
The Anishinabek Nation incorporated the Union of Ontario Indians as its secretariat in 1949. The UOI is a political advocate for 43 member First Nations across Ontario. The Union of Ontario Indians is the oldest political organization in Ontario and can trace its roots back to the Confederacy of Three Fires, which existed long before European contact.
