Garrison Settee has succeeded Sheila North as Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) grand chief after receiving 53 out of 89 votes cast on the second day of the MKO annual general assembly in Opaskwayak Cree Nation Aug. 8.
“I ran on a platform of transformational change,” said Settee in a press release. “I did not run for the title, but for the north. It will be my focus. Making Northern Manitoba a better place for First Nation families is my ultimate goal. That will mean that Canada will have to pay more attention to our treaties, to our issues and to our concerns. I want to thank Grand Chief Sheila North for all her contributions to the Keewatinowi territory. I also want to thank my fellow candidate, Ted Bland, for running an honourable campaign. Thank you to all the chiefs who supported me, including, those that nominated me. Now it is time to close the MKO’s circle, present a united front and work towards a better future for First Nation families in the north.”
