WAUZHUSHK ONIGUM FIRST NATION -- Grand Council Treaty 3 has elected its second consecutive grand chief from Naokamegwanning First Nation (Whitefish Bay).
At Treaty 3's annual Grand Council meeting on Wednesday, Francis Kavanaugh was elected to lead the 28-community treaty organization that spans 88,000 square kilometres across Northwestern Ontario and Manitoba
Kavanaugh was elected in a run-off vote over former Nigigoonsiminikaaning First Nation Chief Gary Allen.
Nine candidates vied for the position including incumbent Warren White.
Kavanaugh previously served as Grand Chief from 1996 to 2000. He will serve a four-year term.
Ontario Regional Chief Isadore Day issued a release following the election in which he praised White for his tenure as leader as he welcomed what he called a "strong and committed voice" in Kavanaugh.
“His years of experience in governance and his knowledge of the treaties will be a major benefit to our team and he will be a strong ally for First Nations citizens," Day said in the release.
"I look forward to working with him on furthering First Nation priorities in the north."
