Anishinabek Nation Chiefs Council Assembly elects new Grand Council Chief

Anishinabek Nation elects new Grand Council Chief Linda Debassige, the former chief of M’Chigeeng First Nation, is the first-ever female Grand Council Chief for the Anishinabek Nation.

In a Traditional Stand-up Election on Wednesday, the Anishinabek Nation Chiefs-in-Assembly has elected Linda Debassige as the Grand Council Chief for the 2024 - 2027 term.

This historic vote marks the first-ever Anishinaabekwe Grand Council Chief for the Anishinabek Nation.

Candidates Reg Niganobe and Linda Debassige participated in the Stand-up Election in Sudbury with Debassige winning by a vote of 28 to 9.

“I look forward to following in the footsteps of all the great leaders who have served the Anishinabek Nation before me and letting the experience of our ancestors continue to guide me in my work every day,” said Debassige, in a news release following the vote.

“It’s time for us to rise up, and rise together. I look forward to rising up with Anishinabek Nation leadership and E’Dbendaagzijig. I am incredibly grateful and humbled to be here today.”

The new Grand Council Chief has served as Gimaa Kwe of her community of M’Chigeeng First Nation for nearly a decade and she served as political advisor to former Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee.

As part of the First Nation’s traditional election procedures, nominees participated in a Sweat led by Anishinabek Nation Head Getzit Mishomis Richard Assinewai and supported by electoral officer Gordon Wainduence Jr. on the eve of the election.

Before the Grand Council Chief election, votes were cast for Deputy Grand Council Chief – the candidates for this position were Melvin Hardy and Chris Plain.

Plain was elected as Deputy Grand Council Chief by a vote of 21 to 16.

Chris Plain is the current Aamjiwnaang First Nation Chief and also held the position of interim Southwest Regional Deputy Grand Council Chief at the Anishinabek Nation.

“I’m grateful to the community of Aamjiwnaang First Nation for allowing me to stand for this position and I look forward to serving the Anishinabek Nation with the new Grand Council Chief to the best of our abilities for all of the nations,” said Plain.

The Anishinabek Nation is a political advocate for 39 member First Nations across Ontario, representing approximately 65,000 citizens. The Anishinabek Nation said it is one of the oldest political organizations in Ontario and can trace its roots back to the Confederacy of Three Fires that existed before European contact with Indigenous Peoples.

In the previous term, there were four Regional Deputy Grand Council Chiefs – however, in this election and moving forward, there will be one Deputy Grand Council Chief.

The primary duty of the Grand Council Chief and Deputy Grand Council Chief is to serve the collective will and protect the rights and interests of the Anishinabek Nation and E’Dbendaagzijig.

The Grand Council Chief and Deputy Grand Council Chief will be supported by the four regional chiefs: