M’CHIGEENG—Morgan Hare has been elected as the new chief of the M’Chigeeng First Nation. In an upset, Mr. Hare defeated former chief Linda Debassige in the band chief and council elections held on Saturday. A total of 10 councillors were also elected during the election.
“Was the result a surprise? A bit, but I knew my supporters put in a really solid effort, as did I,” Chief Hare told The Expositor. “Having never been a chief or a councillor before, we are certainly a voice for change.”
“The campaign went very well,” said Chief Hare. “I knew with the incumbent chief having been in the position for many years my challenge was to put forward a solid campaign. In my campaign poster, I promoted being a voice for change and I met a lot of people in homes in the community and this is the feeling they gave me.”
Morgan Hare was elected for the position of chief, receiving a total of 262 votes. Former Ogimaa-kwe Linda Debassige was second with 214 votes. Renee Corbiere received 48 votes while Wayne Trudeau garnered 41 votes. There were a total of 585 valid ballots cast for chief in the election, with 20 ballots rejected.
“At the end, the election was a very close race (with the winning margin being 48 votes),” said Chief Hare. “It was very close and the remaining ballots dictated the results and then I pushed ahead. That’s the thing with elections; people are serving as chief or councillor for three years and when an election takes place the incumbent is hoping to stay on and new candidates are trying to be elected. It all depends on the community, whether the community is supportive of the incumbent council or new candidates. Voters either like and are satisfied with what is happening in the community or they want change. This is where elections are challenging.”
Those elected or re-elected to council included Ross Armstrong who received the most votes 278, Andrew Edward Bisson 260, Charles Beaudin 230, Earl Debassige 209, Ray Corbiere 208, James (Jimmy) Panamick 208, Robert Beaudin 193, Josh Patrick (Kevin) Eshkawkogan 181, Jeannie (Jean) Eliza Debassige 179, Kim Searle-Aelick 168. Other candidates in the election for council and the votes they received include: Dane Bebamash 116, Diane Louise Bebonang 149, Chelsea Cameron 89, Dennis Corbiere 166, Ellen Samantha (Smitty) Corbiere 82, Leslie Debassige 80, Mark Jordan Debassige 66, Marko M. Debassige 50, Martin (Relic) Debassige 149, Melissa Debassige Kasunich 164, Neda Debassige Toeg 115, (Eric) Waboose Hare 162, Susan Hare 77, Thomas Hare 107, Ethan (Henry) Migwans 58, G’Mewin Migwans 158, (Lynn) Madeline Migwans 97, Patricia Migwans 58, Andrea Panamick 148, Henry Panamick Sr. 112, Stephanie Paul 56, Mike (Mee-Shenn) Peltier 52, Tiffany Marie Recollet 67, Brenda Roy 95, Forrest Schut 147.
“I’m excited that the community elected me for three years,” said Chief Hare. “The council I have moving ahead with me is great, and we are looking forward to the challenges. And there are many issues that we will be dealing with including the Robinson-Huron Treaty, looking at and putting in place short and long-term goals. There will be lots to do including looking at the entire organization and coming up with priorities.”
“Yes, definitely community input is important in all of this,” continued Chief Hare. “Chief and council have been put in this important position by the community members who are asking us to work for them.”
“When issues come up, I think it is important to regularly communicate with and engage with the community,” said Chief Hare. “Maybe to meet with the community members every three to six months to indicate this is the progress we are making, not only for transparency but for feedback as well. And holding a community feast once in a while would be nice and it would allow us as council and the community to get to know each other better.”
Chief Hare has up to now worked as a consultant in St. John’s, Newfoundland. “When I was there, I was working on a contract basis. All of this will now be put on the backburner. I will now be able to come home and be at home to take part in this challenging and exciting opportunity. I have been living off-reserve for a long-time and I’m looking to be able to live at home again,” he said, noting he and his wife, Beth Williamson, live in M’Chigeeng where he also has three siblings who live in the community.
