Mushkegowuk Council set for Grand Chief Elections

The Mushkegowuk Council is in the market for a new Grand Chief.

Current Grand Chief, Lawrence Martin’s 4-year term is up but Chief Electoral Officer, Sherry Davey says he can still run again.

“The Grand Chief must be of First Nation decent, must be 18 years of age or older, and must be nominated with a seconder.  Those are just some of the basic criteria.”

But Davey says just because you have to be 18 or older to be nominated, doesn’t mean you need to be that age to vote.

“Each first nation community have different rules and regulations.  Some allow 16-year old residents to vote while other lean toward 18 and older.”

Nominations close Wednesday and were open since June 15th.  The election itself doesn’t run for another month on August 15th.  Davey says there will be polling stations set up in each of the seven communities falling under the Mushkegowuk Council:  Missanabie Cree First nation, Chapleau Cree First Nation, Taykwa Tagamou Nation, Moose Cree First Nation, Fort Albany First Nation, Kashechewan First Nation, Attawapiskat First Nation, as well as Timmins, Cochrane, and Kapuskasing.

The Grand Chief is a mandated position by the council of Chiefs and represents nearly 11,000 people across the seven communities.