Meet the candidates for chief of Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory
WIIKWEMKOONG—A total of seven candidates will be in the running for the position of chief in the Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory (WUT) chief and band council elections taking place August 17. There are 44 candidates for one of the nine council seats.
In the running for chief, incumbent Rachel Manitowabi has let her name stand as one of the candidates. Also vying for chief are Bernardine Francis, Samuel Manitowabi Sr., Tim Ominika, Daniel Marcello Roy, Joni Roy and Herman Wemigwans.
Councillor incumbents are Lorraine Fox, Ralph Gonawabi, Frances Mandamin, Lyle Peltier, Marcia Trudeau-Bomberry, Joe Wabegijig and Gladys Wakegijig have let their names stand for the election. Others in the running include Thomas Assinewai, Jennifer Bennett, Morgan Booth, Lillian Baibomcowai-Dell, Aaron Dokum, John Dube, Josh Eshkawkogan, Patrick Fox, Bernardine Francis, Robin George, Steven J. George, Marian (Yoho) Jacko, Agnes Kanasawe, Larry M. Kimewon, Marilyn Sharon Kimewon, Wanda Kimewon, David R. Lavallee, Gerrilynn Victoria Manitowabi, Natalie Neganegijig, Jean Oshkabewisens, Anna (Tillie) McGregor Pangowish, Dustin Peltier, Adrienne Pelletier, Tia Peltier, Mary Pheasant, Hali Pitawanakwat, Joni Roy, Natalie Shawana, Darcy Solomon, Glen Toulouse, Lynda Trudeau, Mary Jo Wabano, Kevin Wassegijig, Amanda Wassegijig-Trudeau, Herman Wemigwans, Madeline Wemigwans, Scott Wemigwans.
Candidates for chief Bernadine Francis and Herman Wemigwans could not be reached by press time Monday.
Tim Ominika
Tim Ominika, a proud member of the Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, is excited to announce his candidacy for chief. With over a decade of experience serving on the Band council and a deep commitment to his community, Mr. Ominika is ready to lead Wiikwemkoong into a future that honors its past while embracing new opportunities.
“Our community’s health is paramount,” says Mr. Ominika, a Mental Health and Addictions Specialist with the Anishinabek Nation. “We must prioritize access to culturally relevant mental health supports and address the root causes of health disparities. By focusing on health, nutrition, and addiction services, we can ensure that every member of our community has the opportunity to achieve wellness and live a healthy life.”
Mr. Ominika has a proven track record of education and youth empowerment, a pillar of his platform. “Investing in our youth is investing in our future,” he states. During his tenure on the council, he has worked tirelessly to enhance educational opportunities for both on-reserve and off-reserve members. He was instrumental in changing policies to extend educational funding and support to band members living outside of Canada, a significant achievement that he plans to build upon.
“Empowering our youth to be proud of their heritage and confident in their future is essential for the continued growth of our community,” Mr. Ominika asserts. His commitment includes expanding access to quality education, scholarships, and mentorship programs, ensuring that the next generation is well-equipped to lead.
In the area of health and wellbeing, Mr. Ominika is a strong advocate for supporting families with children who have exceptional needs, both on and off the reserve. He has championed the provision of tools for children with hearing impairments and has a long-term goal of establishing a medical detox facility on the Island. “We need immediate access to these services to break the cycle of relapse and move our people toward wellness,” he explains.
Mr. Ominika’s platform also emphasizes Cultural Preservation and Revitalization. “Our culture is our strength,” he declares, promising to preserve the language, traditional practices, and elder knowledge through expanded cultural education programs for youth. “Supporting the arts and traditional practices is central to keeping our identity strong in a rapidly changing world.”
Economic development and sovereignty are also key priorities for Mr. Ominika. “Our community’s economic prosperity is a top priority,” he says. As chief, he pledges to expand local business opportunities, support entrepreneurship, and attract sustainable investments that respect both the land and the culture of Wiikwemkoong. “Promoting economic sovereignty means more than just job creation; it’s about ensuring that our resources benefit our people and future generations.”
Mr. Ominika envisions a diverse economic future, beyond tourism, with sustainable practices that align with the community’s values. He advocates for transparent communication about investment opportunities and supports innovative ventures like pellet farming and aquaculture, ensuring that these efforts respect natural areas and contribute to long-term sustainability.
“Let’s move forward together,” Mr. Ominika urges his community. His campaign for Chief is built on a foundation of health, education, cultural preservation, and economic sovereignty—pillars that he believes will lead Wiikwemkoong into a prosperous future for all its members.
Rachel Manitowabi
There is a world of difference between governing and campaigning, notes incumbent Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory Ogimaa Rachel Manitowabi. “You can challenge leadership on why they have not accomplished a particular thing while you are running for office,” she said. But once a person gets elected they soon discover how many moving parts are involved in dealing with issues.
Despite the challenges that Ms. Manitowabi encountered during her first term as Ogimaa of Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, not the least of which was the fact that nearly the entire council was new to their positions, she assured The Expositor that she was very proud of what she has been able to accomplish. Much of which she puts down to her solid grounding in Anishinaabemowin, culture, traditions and most importantly the values and attributes she acquired from her mother and grandmothers.
“That is integrity, honesty and respect, but community comes first,” she said. “We are more than just a collection of individuals, we are a community of one.” To that end, Ms. Manitowabi said that her family has instilled the one abiding principle that guides her work: do as much good as I possibly can for the whole community.”
“I am very proud of what we as council have accomplished over the past two years with community support,” said Ms. Manitowabi. “I am humbled and honoured to have been once again nominated for the position.”
She points to the community safety bylaw that was recently passed by band council resolution and which will come into effect on August 24. Ms. Manitowabi said that the new law will continue to further the work of making Wiikwemkoong band members more safe and secure in their own homes, while combatting the scourge of drugs that are afflicting many communities.
“I am pleased with how the camera surveillance has been working,” she said, noting that the band has been engaging technology to help combat the unwanted presence of southern drug dealers coming into the community and the dampening effect the added eyes are having on crime in the community.
Ms. Manitowabi is well grounded in her community, having spent most of her life, aside from attending post secondary education, in Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory. She said she is extremely grateful to her family for helping ground her in the culture and traditions of her community, and also for ensuring that she is a fluent speaker in the language.
“Language is so important,” she said. “I want to ensure that projects like our Mooshkin Anishinaabemowin Gamig, a place for young families to learn and strengthen our language continue to be supported and grow.” She noted that the recent Anishinaabemowin Immersion Camp held in the community is an example of the kind of things that are happening in a positive way.
Despite the challenges to language and culture that came out of government actions and policies aimed at assimilation, things like the residential school system and the injustices foisted on Indigenous communities by the settler governments, Wiikwemkoong has not only survived, but thrived.
“Wiikwemkoong has always been a leader when it comes to preserving the language,” said Ms. Manitowabi.
Ms. Manitowabi points to the 30 years of experience in governance that she brings to the table as a huge asset in helping to ensure that the challenges facing Wiikwemkoong are met and overcome in a good way.
As to the future, Ms. Manitowabi said that she intends to continue the work on building and rejuvenating community infrastructure and economic development. She points to the continuing progress being made in moving forward the pellet plant in Nairn Centre and partnerships that are being developed to support those initiatives and other business opportunities.
She said she is also very excited about her project to move all of Wiikwemkoong’s “data” to storage facilities in the community. “That data is our stories,” she said. “We should have control and ownership of our own stories.” Once the data is ensconced in Wiikwemkoong, said Ms. Manitowabi, then it can be made accessible to other First Nations and outside organizations.
Sam Manitowabi
My name is Sam Manitowabi, and I am honoured to accept the nomination for chief of Wiikwemkoong in the upcoming election on August 17, 2024. With deep respect for our traditions and a commitment to our future, I am ready to serve our community with the skills and experience I have gained over three decades of work in economic development and First Nations governance.
“I decided to accept my nomination because of the teachings of our Elders,” says Mr. Manitowabi. “When you are called to serve, you don’t say no. I believe I have the experience and skills that can benefit our community, and I am ready to put them to work for Wiikwemkoong.”
As a candidate for chief, Mr. Manitowabi understands the complexity and challenges of the role. He plans to spend the first two to three months of his two-year term focused on transition and planning. During this time, he will give the council an opportunity to hear from staff, managers, and directors about their department’s issues, programs, work plans, budget needs and priorities. This collaborative approach will help the new Chief and Council develop a clear and effective plan for the remainder of the term.
“Wiikwemkoong has already completed important work, such as ChiNaakinagewin, Community Standards, and the Children’s Bill of Rights,” he notes. “These documents provide a roadmap for leadership, membership responsibilities, and service standards. We need to build on this foundation.”
Mr. Manitowabi is particularly passionate about ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children in the community. “Our children are our future, and it truly takes a community to raise a child,” he asserts. He believes that the implementation of the Wiikwemkoong Children’s Bill of Rights, ratified in 2013, is key to addressing many of the issues facing the community, from housing and food security to health, education, and services.
“We need to restore the value of ‘it takes a village’ among our community,” Mr. Manitowabi says. “I want to see the Chief and Council work closely with program directors and frontline workers to ensure that our children’s rights are being upheld and that every department is aligned in supporting our youth.”
With over 30 years of experience working with First Nations in economic development, Mr. Manitowabi brings a wealth of knowledge in creating change and establishing the relationships necessary to accomplish large projects. His track record includes leading negotiations on hydroelectric projects, sustainable forest licenses, and impact benefit agreements around mine sites, generating opportunities for First Nations and surrounding communities.
“Strategic planning is critical for our success,” Mr. Manitowabi emphasizes. “Wiikwemkoong has done a lot of good work, but we need to ensure that our strategic plans are not just sitting on a shelf. We must address immediate challenges like drinking water, sewer systems, housing, and substance use, while also pursuing long-term goals.”
Manitowabi is also committed to preserving and revitalizing the culture and governance of Wiikwemkoong. He acknowledges the importance of moving beyond the Indian Act and adopting an election code that truly reflects the community’s sovereignty. “Governments are always trying to assert their authority over us,” he warns. “It’s essential that we take the necessary steps to reinforce our sovereignty and protect our rights.”
Mr. Manitowabi believes that leadership must be built on trust and transparency. He is advocating for mandatory drug testing for Chief and Council members as a way to lead by example in the fight against the opioid crisis and restore trust in leadership. “We need to lead by example,” he says. “It’s time to restore trust and demonstrate that we are committed to the wellbeing of our community.”
On August 17, Sam Manitowabi humbly asks for your vote. His campaign is built on a foundation of strategic planning, cultural preservation, economic development, and the safety and wellbeing of our children. With a vision for a stronger, healthier Wiikwemkoong, Manitowabi is ready to lead the community into a prosperous future.
Joni Roy
“I am honoured to have been nominated for both chief and council positions,” said Joni Roy. “I was quite surprised to have been nominated for chief. You need two people to support your nomination and agree to let your name stand. When I first saw the nomination list, I wasn’t wearing my glasses and asked the staff ‘is that my name on the nomination list?’ I said, ‘That’s nice, people believe in my perspective and ideologies.’”
“Before I accepted either nomination, I sought out trusted opinions whether I should let my name stand,” said Ms. Roy. “I was told in Anishinaabemowin ‘to see how far I could go’ and reminded ‘if someone believes in you, to nominate you, you should honour that,’ and lastly that, ‘community will decide.’ It’s a great opportunity to serve in another capacity.”
“My platform will be my work experience, advocacy and resource network, which is publicly accessible on my LinkedIn,” said Ms. Roy. “I am very humbled and want to acknowledge the opportunities and support our community has extended and invested in me,” she said noting her 48 years of experience in the community in Anishnaabek art promotion and awareness, 30 years of youth advocacy and community engagement, 23 years of event planning and administration, 20 years of government liaison (intertribal, federal, provincial, municipal, union) and 16 years in First Nation economic developed, education employment and training.”
“I started working when I was 13, and even before that I worked with my dad as an art promoter,” continued Ms. Roy. Her work background in the community is extensive, and currently she is working as a special projects officer with Wii-nii n’guch-tood LMS/Wikwemikong ISETS, Wiky Development Corporation which has a huge umbrella of initiatives.
Ms. Roy acknowledged issues like the drug crisis, child welfare and the Robinson-Treaty settlement, “are current and pressing issues on the council table, that will have to be dealt with, as a community, at the community level.”
“I live in Manitowaning and am a single parent, with one cub (child) still in my den,” said Ms. Roy. Miinghan Niina. I also have a granddaughter now, who endearingly calls me “Oma.” Under the current Indian Act, a chief can reside anywhere in Canada and could also be a non-band member. “This adds fuel to my passion as a registered Wiikwemkoong member. I am proud of community and I really want us to have a library again; one that includes our history, stories and genealogy too,” said Ms. Roy.
Developing and making the Anishnaabemowin language prevalent in all areas of Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory and ratifying the governance law, which has been in the process for many years, are two of the priorities of Ms. Roy, who is vying for the chief seat in the upcoming band chief and council elections.
“I’m going to encourage all and everything Anishinaabemowin and continue to participate myself,” stated Ms. Roy. “Fluency in our language is a personal goal.” “We used to sing Anishinaabemowin loud and proud when I was younger. I want that back for all our community members now and for all our great grandchildren,” said Ms. Roy. She noted she is a strong advocate for E-DBENDAAGZIG miinaa kweok (all women) and the vulnerable.
“I was raised on and off-reserve, as are my children and grandchild,” said Ms. Roy. “I have that lived experience and understand the challenges it presents to us. I also have family on the other side of Lake Huron, and I believe they all need their own portfolio, as well as a portfolio for off-reserve members and our ogitchidaa (veterans).”
“I would like to see an increase in our voting membership,” said Ms. Roy. “With this we can ratify our Gchi-Naaknigewin (our own constitution) which our community has been working on for more than 15 years now. I have helped and contributed to this planning, as I really, truly believe we need to get them ratified so that we don’t remain under the current Indian Act. It is one of my priorities.”
Ms. Roy explained, “We have a total of 6,000 voting age members both on and off-reserve. In the last election only about 1,100 voted, which is barely 18 percent of our total voting population. We can do so much better in terms of having more of our eligible voters participating. Where are you, Wiikwemkoong? Stand and be counted.”
Daniel Marcello Roy
Working together as one entire community of both on-reserve and off-reserve residents, allowing everyone to provide input, is essential to solve solutions and provide for growth in Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory said Daniel Roy, a candidate for Wiikwemkoong chief in the upcoming election.
“We all need to work together, there has to be fairness in all decisions for everyone, on and off reserve,” said Mr. Roy. “We need a community-minded and community-invested approach. And along with on-reserve members we need to make a connection with off-reserve members. If elected as chief, I would want along with council to hear everyone’s needs, concerns and wants. We need to work together to come up with solutions.”
Mr. Roy acknowledged he has never served on council. “Since moving back to the community 30 years ago I have led a quiet, peaceful life with my family. But there are a lot of things going on in the community that can’t continue. We need to find solutions to these concerns.”
“One of the reasons I am running for chief is that a lot of people feel there has been misappropriation of spending in the community,” said Mr. Roy. “I see a $2.5 million marina that has disappeared, along with equipment of about $350,000 that is not being used, and gasification burners that were designed to go into an industrial park that are rotting away.”
“We have seen violence and drug use increase significantly in the community the past few years,” stated Mr. Roy. “If a person is caught selling drugs, they need to know they are going to do real time in jail and feel the consequences of their actions. We have seen shootings in the community and just a few days ago the heavy news of someone having been assaulted and kidnapped. We are going to get drug dealers here if there are no real consequences to them.”
“I don’t know why the federal government does not have regulations in place that prevent the drug chemicals coming into the country in the first place,” stated Mr. Roy. “To find solutions we need to lobby the government to make penalties for drug dealers much harder, with much more jail time for those caught selling the drugs. And as a community we need to work together to prevent these drugs, and dealers getting into our community. Again, we need to work together to find solutions.”
“When I moved back to Wiky 30 years ago, the drug and violence problem was not as prevalent as it is today,” said Mr. Roy, who works part-time as a commercial fisherman, and used to own Roy’s Trucking Company in Nairn Centre until Domtar shut down.
“It was good to see the recent Robinson-Huron Treaty Supreme Court decision that indicated both governments (Canada and Ontario) failed its fiduciary duty and kept all our communities in a system of oppression,” said Mr. Roy.
The Supreme Court decision determined that Canada and Ontario “dishonourably breached its sacred promises’ to the Anishinaabe of the upper Great Lakes by making a “mockery” of its treaty promise by failing to increase annuity payments for nearly 150 years, under a rare augmentation clause which requires the Crown to increase annuities as revenues and wealth generated from resource extraction on the land grew over time.”
“Once a community like ours signs a new governance agreement there is no turning back,” said Mr. Roy. “Is that what we want in Wiikwemkoong? So far, the way it is now I don’t want that governance agreement the way it reads right now. I don’t think people are prepared for retirement or for paying income tax. But what we would need to do as council is sit down, discuss this with input from all members of the community. If I am elected as chief, I would like to see a mechanism put in place that Wiikwemkoong would never surrender in the future.”
Mr. Roy would like, “to see a trade school built in the community. There was talk years ago of this in Wiky. I am a strong believer in trade schools, because I am a graduate of one.”
Mr. Roy listed his key priorities in running for chief in the election. The need to work for on-reserve and off-reserve of all ages and invest with on-reserve and off-reserve membership. “We need to work collectively with council and staff members,” said Mr. Roy. “We need to enhance governance and create laws to exercise our rights in all aspects for the betterment of Wiikwemkoong.”
“They talk of future generations, the future is now,” said Mr. Roy. “Now is where our future is at. Investing in work. Investing in an ever-evolving future is promising. A promise to our children of a future is not as reassuring as promising them a strong foundation to create their own future.”
