Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee has been acclaimed for a second consecutive term in office at the 2012 Grand Council Assembly in Sheguiandah.
“I’ve still got fight in me,” said the former chief of Aundeck Omni Kaning who was also elected as grand council chief in 1980. “It’s a good day and it’s been an awesome ceremony. I want to extend my thanks to our leaders, our citizens and to our ancestors. We have work to do yet, but that’s what we’re here for — to do the work.”
Madahbee said the Anishinabek Nation has made progress and he feels empowered by the spirit of the children and the resilience of the Elders.
“As government continues its legislative assault on First Nations, we continue to grow stronger as a nation,” Madahbee said. “Only the Creator and the Anishinabek citizens will determine our future, not government policies or colonial programs.”
Deputy Grand Council Chief Glen Hare, a former chief of M’Chigeeng, was also acclaimed for a third consecutive term in office.
“We could not be here without our mother and our land,” Hare said. “We protect our kids and our families. This is our home and this is our family.
“The Anishinabek Nation is saying no to government laws and no agency is going come onto our land to divide our communities ever again.”
All four regional chiefs were acclaimed as well, with Fort William Chief Peter Collins as Northern Superior regional chief; Aamjiwnaang Chief Chris Plain as South West regional chief; Alderville Chief James Marsden as South East regional chief and Serpent River Chief Isadore Day as Lake Huron regional chief.
When I was a boy growing up in my home community of Attawapiskat on the James Bay coast, I was deathly afraid of looking at the full moon.
I grew up...
I’m happy to see the ongoing support and assistance in our northern remote communities to help our people cope with so many lifelong and generational issues...