Cindy Woodhouse, left, interim National Chief Joanna Bernard, centre, and David Pratt, are seen during the third day of the Assembly of First Nations Special Chiefs Assembly (SCA) in Ottawa, on Thursday.Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press
Canadians need to work with First Nations in a positive way, the new national chief of the Assembly of First Nations said Thursday as she took the helm of an advocacy organization that works to influence federal government policy and budget spending for 634 communities.
Cindy Woodhouse of the Pinaymootang First Nation in Manitoba, who served as the AFN’s regional chief for the province, said in a victory speech she was raised to work with all people and she intends to do so in this capacity.
First Nations want to work constructively with the federal government, Ms. Woodhouse said. But she warned there will be problems if chiefs are not heard.
“And so to Canada, we’re coming for you,” she said.
The AFN’s national chief is elected through a voting process that allows chiefs and proxies from across the country to choose who they prefer for national chief. The AFN represents more than 900,000 people in communities across the country.
Ms. Woodhouse said she will now be briefed on key files. Some of the issues that are top of mind for the AFN include pushing Ottawa to withdraw a piece of legislation, Bill C-53, that recognizes Métis governments in Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan.
The AFN also released its national climate strategy last month, which underscores the need for action led by First Nations. Ms. Woodhouse told a news conference Thursday that AFN staff will need to conduct an analysis and ensure there is a proper legal strategy in place in response to First Nations in Ontario seeking a judicial review of Ottawa’s carbon-pricing regime. When asked whether she supported this step, she responded “absolutely.”
Ms. Woodhouse’s win was made official when competitor David Pratt, the vice-chief of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, conceded Thursday after six rounds of voting that lasted until almost midnight on Wednesday.
Voting was paused because an Ottawa convention centre had to close down. More voting was to take place on Thursday morning because the AFN charter requires that a national chief be elected with 60-per-cent support.
Mr. Pratt’s decision to concede put an end to the voting.
Ms. Woodhouse said that she and Mr. Pratt had a long discussion and they decided to come together “because we have to work for you.”
“This isn’t about us,” she said.
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In his concession speech, Mr. Pratt thanked chiefs and said he learned about different challenges unfolding in communities across Canada throughout the election.
“The decision to concede is never an easy decision,” he said, adding that a lot of leaders wanted him to keep going and “pushing the fight.”
Mr. Pratt said he knew it was not beneficial to prolong the voting process while there are challenges in housing, mental health and addiction. “The issues are too important for us to hold back the next national chief from taking over,” he said.
Mr. Pratt called on chiefs to back Ms. Woodhouse.
The election of a national chief marks a new chapter in a tumultuous period for the AFN. In June, a majority of chiefs took the extraordinary step to oust then national chief RoseAnne Archibald after a review found evidence of staff harassment. Ms. Archibald denied all wrongdoing. After her removal from the role, an interim national chief, Joanna Bernard, served for six months.
Ms. Woodhouse thanked Ms. Archibald on Thursday for smashing the glass ceiling when she became the first female national chief of the AFN. Ms. Woodhouse served on the AFN’s executive at the time of upheaval in the organization.
Shortly after being named national chief, Ms. Woodhouse said she spoke with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, with whom she already has a close working relationship.
She said Thursday she told Mr. Trudeau that she intends to hold the federal government’s “feet to the fire” on housing, infrastructure, water and policing as an essential service. She said that this would be done in a respectful way.
Ms. Woodhouse said she and the Prime Minister spoke about economic development and making sure First Nations are included in the economy.
“We need to be working more closely together,” she said, adding this is what partners do.
Ms. Woodhouse, a 40-year-old mother and day-school survivor, served as the AFN’s lead negotiator on a multibillion-dollar settlement for First Nations children over child welfare services.
In October, the Federal Court approved the settlement of $23.3-billion in compensation. Money could flow to communities as soon as the new year after a fight of more than 15 years.
Ms. Woodhouse said the negotiations on child welfare taught her to go to the highest level of the government, if required, for action.
Ms. Woodhouse previously worked for other AFN leaders, including Perry Bellegarde and Shawn Atleo.
In a statement, Mr. Bellegarde said that he is confident Ms. Woodhouse will foster unity and productive working relationships with the chiefs, all orders of government and key organizations across Canada.
“I am confident that National Chief Woodhouse will bring her dignified approach to the benefit of First Nations’ priorities and needs,” Mr. Bellegarde said in a statement. “This will be good for First Nations and good for Canada.”
Ms. Woodhouse said that her job will be to answer the calls of the chiefs, adding this is the duty of the national chief.
“That office is your office,” she told First Nation leaders. “That’s not my office.”