Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler and the executive council extended their congratulations to Premier-elect Doug Ford and plan to engage with the new government “as soon as possible on the many challenges facing NAN First Nations.”
“We look forward to working with this government on the priorities identified by our leaders such as health transformation, resource revenue sharing, support for First Nations’ inherent rights and jurisdiction, and honouring our Treaties,” said Fiddler in a June 8 news release.
“Our communities have made significant progress over the past few years and we will look to this government to continue Ontario’s commitments to all projects and agreements currently underway in NAN territory.”
NAN further congratulated Sol Mamakawa of Kingfisher Lake First Nation as the first MPP of the newly established Kiiwetinoong riding.
“Sol has dedicated his career to improving the health and well-being of our communities and will be a strong voice for the people of the North at Queen’s Park,” said Fiddler.
“We also congratulate Guy Bourgouin elected in the Mushkegowuk-James Bay riding, and trust that he will be a strong advocate for the Mushkegowuk people.”
Other First Nation candidates who ran in the Northern ridings included: Gaeton Baillargeol (Mushkegowuk-James Bay), Clifford Bull (Kiiwetinoong), Charles Fox (Algoma-Manitoulin) and Karen Kejick (Kenora-Rainy).
Nishnawbe Aski Nation is a political territorial organization representing 49 First Nation communities with a membership (on and off reserve) estimated of 45,000. NAN encompasses James Bay Treaty No. 9 and Ontario’s portion of Treaty No. 5.
Ford was invited by Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Dowdeswell on June 8 to assume the premier's position and form a new government.
He has selected a transition team and has already begun briefings on government activities and the decisions necessary to choose his cabinet. The transition of power takes place on June 29.
