The head of the Southern Chiefs’ Organization is facing an attempt to remove him from the role. A memo dated Aug. 17 put forward by Lake Manitoba First Nation Chief Cornell McLean and seconded by Bloodvein First Nation Chief Lisa Young is calling for a special chiefs-in-summit meeting to consider the removal of Grand Chief Jerry Daniels. “Chiefs have raised numerous concerns regarding governance, leadership, accountability, transparency, organizational decision-making and the confidence of member nations in the current leadership of the organization,” the memo reads. Daniels was elected to his third term as Grand Chief in June 2024 but briefly stepped away from the role in December. At the time, SCO said it was due to health reasons. Lake Manitoba First Nation Chief Cornell McLean served as the interim grand chief until Daniel returned in January 2025. If a special summit is called, Daniels would also have the opportunity to share why he should stay on as leader. Voting would done by secret ballot. Removing Daniels would require more than 50 per cent of the votes to be in favour. “The Chiefs Executive Committee has responded directly to the request for a Special Chiefs-in-Summit and recommended that it first be brought before an ordinary Chiefs-in-Summit,” a spokesperson for the organization said. “This provides all Chiefs with the opportunity to consider the matter through the appropriate constitutional process, with proper notice, relevant information, and meaningful dialogue.” The spokesperson also noted it expects there would re questions regarding the future of the work SCO is undertaking, including the redevelopment of the former Hudson’s Bay building in Winnipeg and a partnership to help redevelop the former Portage Place. “Those views deserve to be heard. The appropriate place to address matters concerning the governance and future direction of SCO is among the Chiefs, through the processes established in the SCO Constitution.” SCO represents 33 Anishinaabe and Dakota Nations in Manitoba.
