NAN to hold elections

Three candidates have thrown their hats into the ring to vie for the position of Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) grand chief, including current Grand Chief Stan Beardy.

Also running for the NAN executive?s top position are Brian Davey, managing partner and co-founder of First Nations Equity Inc.; and Mike Metatawabin, chief of Fort Albany First Nation and president of Five Nations Energy Inc.

Nine candidates are running to fill the executive?s three deputy grand chief spots?filmmaker and former Taykawa Tagamou First Nation chief Roseanne Archibald; John D. Beardy, air delivery unit manager for Wasaya Airways; NAN forestry advisor David Flood; Michael Fox, resource sectoral specialist with the Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund; former public education co-ordinator with Nishnawbe Aski Legal Services Corporation Ivan Iserhoff: Deer Lake First Nation Chief Archie Meekis; Bill Nothing, executive director of NAN?s Office of the Grand Chief; Terry Waboose, process co-ordination unit director in NAN?s governance department; and incumbent candidate Alvin Fiddler. The two other current deputy grand chiefs, Goyce Kakegamic and Dan Kooses, are not running in the upcoming election.

Although NAN is in the process of adopting a universal vote system that will see each member vote to elect executive council members, it was determined that more public education is needed before the new system is implemented. As a result, the upcoming election will use the standard voting system, with NAN chiefs selecting the executive council.

The election will take place on Aug. 3 during the Keewaywin NAN Chiefs Assembly on Sachigo Lake First Nation. For more information, visit the NAN election Web site at www.nanelection.ca.