On Wednesday the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) will choose its next leader. Current national chief Shawn Atleo, 45, is running for another three-year term against seven challengers. The Globe and Mail reports his rivals have accused him of an overly cozy relationship with the governing Tories.
On Wednesday the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) will choose its next leader. Current national chief Shawn Atleo, 45, is running for another three-year term against seven challengers. The Globe and Mail reports his rivals have accused him of an overly cozy relationship with the governing Tories.
According to the Star, Pam Palmater, a lawyer and professor at Ryerson University, appears to be Atleo’s principal rival. “Atleo has forgotten to listen to his chiefs, he is too close to the government and the chiefs have called him on it,” she said.
The AFN is holding its annual meeting at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. First ballot results will be available around noon on Wedneday. Atleo won after the eighth ballot in 2009.
The other candidates are Manitoban lawyer Joan Jack; Manitoban chief Terry Nelson; the Quebec Native Women’s Association’s Ellen Gabriel; former grand chief of Treaty 3 Diane Kelly; and Alberta Regional Chief George Stanley.