FORT WILLIAM FIRST NATION — On the day after she learned she had been elected chief of Fort William First Nation, Michele Solomon was already thinking about her short-term and long-term priorities.
"I think that next to being a mother and a grandmother, this is the most important role that I'll have in my life. It's a huge honour. I'm so humbled that the community has put their faith in me," she said in an interview Monday.
Solomon, who defeated former chief Georjann Morriseau 325 votes to 313 to win what she described as a "nail-biting" race, attributed her victory to a combination of factors.
"I did try and get out to speak to as many people as I did personally. I reached out to people on social media," she said, adding that since she was a councillor for eight years many voters were already aware of the work she has done in the community.
Solomon believes it's important for Fort William First Nation council and officials to work on a long-range plan.
"I don't know if we've had a strategic plan for awhile, so developing one for the leadership of the community and the administration is really high on my priority list, to kind of get a sense of what the community wants as a priority for our life here."
Prior to entering politics, the new chief worked in the mental health and addictions field.
She said mental health and addictions issues are a concern in the First Nation just as they are elsewhere, but there are also other numerous pressing needs such as housing, economic development and dealing with the problem of dogs roaming at large.
Solomon wants to ensure that council — which has a couple of new people as a result of the election — comes together to set priorities around the table in alignment with the aspirations of community members.
An immediate goal is to receive orientation reports from various departments, including details of the First Nation's various partnerships with organizations and businesses in the Thunder Bay area.
Peter Collins, the previous chief who stepped down last summer to lead a First Nations company focused on employment and economic spin-off benefits from the Waasigan Transmission Line project, is among the 12 councillors who were elected.
Solomon said he brings a lot of knowledge and history to the council table, and an understanding of the dynamics of relationships the community has developed.
"That will definitely lend to our success. Additionally, though, we have council members who have been here for a number of years as well. That experience is really important to the work that we are going to do. Peter was at the forefront but there are a lot of people who have been here a long time."
Jennelle Charlie comfortably topped the polls in the election for council.
Although the margin between the 12th-place finisher and two runners-up was only two votes, as of mid-afternoon Monday there were no requests for an official recount.
The new Fort William First Nation council will be sworn in on June 11, and will serve for four years.
With files from TBT news
