Abram Benedict elected as Ontario Regional Chief
SIX NATIONS OF THE GRAND RIVER—The Chiefs of Ontario offered congratulations following the Chiefs-in-Assembly’s election of Abram Benedict to the Office of the Ontario Regional Chief during the 49th annual chiefs’ assembly, hosted by Six Nations of the Grand River and the Chiefs of Ontario. Meanwhile, Glen Hare said he has enjoyed his almost four decades in First Nation leadership but said he will not be pursuing a leadership role in the future.
On June 12, Abram Benedict was elected to the Office of the Ontario Regional Chief with 50 votes to 48 for candidate Dean Sayers after four rounds of voting were conducted. Regional Chief Benedict previously served as Grand Chief of the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne.
A total of five candidates were in the running for the position of Ontario Regional Chief (ORC) with 98 electors present to vote in a traditional stand-up electoral process. They included Mr. Hare, incumbent, Grassy Narrows Chief Rudy Turtle, Dean Sayers, former chief of the Batchewana First Nation, Travis Boissoneault, chief of the Garden River First Nation reserve and Abram Benedict.
Regional Chief Benedict ran for Ontario Regional Chief on a platform rooted in the importance of building relationships with the federal and provincial governments while advocating for First Nations sovereignty.
“It is of the greatest pleasures to be elected Ontario Regional Chief,” said newly elected Ontario Regional Chief Benedict. “I thank everyone for their support as I transition into the role and look forward to continuing the good work on numerous key First Nations’ priorities. I look forward to serving each of the 133 chiefs in the region as we work together to ensure that our nations not only survive but thrive as well.”
“We have much work to do, and I plan to embrace the Chiefs of Ontario office as we move forward in our advocacy efforts with the governments of Ontario and Canada. Advocacy is an extremely important piece as we move forward on our key initiatives, such as the carbon tax, Bill C-53, climate adaptation, response, and prevention. While the conversations will certainly not be easy ones, I will ensure that First Nations voices and stories are heard in Queen’s Park and on Parliament Hill.”
Following the final election results, Ontario Regional Chief Elect Abram Benedict participated in the traditional pipe and blanket ceremony and oath of office for the Regional Chief, led by chief electoral officer Gordon “Chop” Waindubence of Sheguiandah First Nation and Oshkabewis to the election officer Gary Dokis, to officially assume the position of Ontario Regional Chief.
“I don’t know the last time I was on unemployment,” quipped Mr. Hare. “You just don’t know how elections are going to go. I felt good going into the election, but I went in with the attitude there was a 50-50 chance I would be elected.”
“I have enjoyed my 39 years in First Nations leadership starting as a (M’Chigeeng) councillor,” said Mr. Hare. “I’ll still be helping and supporting the leadership, I just won’t be at their level. I had a good run and I have no regrets. And I am thankful for the leadership and citizens who have supported me over the years.”
“I am back being a M’Chigeeng band member on a full-time basis,” said Mr. Hare. “It’s only been one day but I’m enjoying it. One of the things I am excited is being at home with my family more.”
He said that one of the things he is pleased to see in the past few days is “that the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) has invited COO (Chiefs of Ontario) to stand with them and approach the government on the housing issues in all of our communities. They have reached out to us on this issue, which is a positive step forward. They (governments) have to talk to us as First Nations and municipalities. That’s for our new regional chief, Abram, to be tasked with.”
