Kyra Wilson elected new leader of Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs

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    The votes are in and it’s official, Kyra Wilson, former Chief of Long Plain First Nation, is the newest Grand Chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs. Mitchell Ringos reports.

    By News Staff

    Kyra Wilson has been elected the new Grand Chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs.

    “I know we’re going to get this work done, we are stronger together and I heard that very clearly over the last two days,” said Wilson.

    “Everything happens for a reason, and it so happens I was elected today so I am grateful and honoured for that.”

    Kyra Wilson, the new Grand Chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs. (Photo Credit: Nick Johnston, CityNews)

    Wilson won Wednesday’s ballot by a considerable margin, earning 37 of 61 first-round votes.

    “I want to first begin by congratulating Grand Chief Kyra Wilson on her election as leader of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs,” said Premier Wab Kinew.

    Leroy Constant and Bava Dhillon, the two northern candidates, each received 10 votes, while former Peguis First Nation chief Glenn Hudson received four votes.

    “The AMC congratulates Kyra Wilson, the newly elected Grand Chief, and looks forward to their leadership in advancing First Nations priorities,” the AMC wrote in a news release.

    Wilson, the former chief of Long Plain First Nation in southern Manitoba, played a central role in calls to search the Prairie Green landfill for the remains of two slain First Nations women: Marcedes Myran and Morgan Harris.

    First Nations leaders were choosing a new head for the AMC after the sudden death of Cathy Merrick last year.

    Cathy Merrick, Grand Chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, speaks to media in response to a federal announcement for a feasibility study to search a local landfill in Winnipeg on Friday, February 10, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

    Merrick made history as the first woman to lead the Assembly in its 35-year history.

    Grand Chief Wilson who is now the second woman to lead the assembly, worked with Merrick on a number of critical issues in the past, such as the search for murdered Indigenous women at the Prairie Green landfill. She spoke about her relationship with the former Grand Chief and how she plans to continue where she left off

    “I will carry on the work she started but I will also make sure I am able to do the work that was asked of me by the chiefs,” she explained.

    Grand Chief Wilson touched on some key issues she wants to focus on as the newest leader of AMC, including treaty rights.

    “When I think about different levels of government and how our treaties are not being honored right now I know the discussion will be taking place for many years about honouring those treaties and we need to continue on with those discussions.”

    The advocacy group representing 63 communities hosted a byelection in Winnipeg to fill the role of grand chief.

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