Alvin Fiddler re-elected as Nishnawbe Aski Nation grand chief

Alvin Fiddler willreturnas grand chief of Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN)following elections at the annualKeewaywin Conference in Constance Lake First Nation in northern Ontario.

Fiddler secured 25 of 40 votes,NAN announced Wednesday.Pauline Penena Mickelson had 10 votes and Bobby Narcisse had five.

NAN is a political organization that represents 49 First Nations across Treaties 9 and 5 in the region.

Fiddler, who's from Muskrat Dam First Nation, served as grand chief from 2015 to 2021 after several terms as deputy grand chief.

Fiddler returned to the position in June 2023after Derek Fox was removed from office following allegations of misconduct.

Three deputy grand chiefs have also been elected:

• Anna Betty Achneepineskum.
• Mike Metatawabin.
• Bobby Narcisse.

Providing opportunities for youth a priority

Fiddler spoke to CBC'sSuperior Morningahead of the election to lay out his priorities and reasons for running, saying he was looking to build off his previous terms as grand chief.

"We did so much work during those six years, including leading our communities through a global [COVID-19] pandemic," Fiddler said.

He listed the Choose Life programand the development of a critical infrastructure unit within NANto address water, housing and transportation as highlights of those years.

"We need to carry on ... and to ensure we have the right team in place and capacity as Nishnawbe Aski Nation to be able to continue on with this important work that we started," he said.

• Listen to Alvin Fiddlers fullinterview on CBC's Superior Morning

Fiddler also spoke about the need for NAN to provide more opportunities for young people, andaddress the suicide and drug crises.

"Way too often in our communities, we lose our young people to suicide and drug overdose under very tragic circumstances, and it's something that we need to definitely have as a priority moving forward addressing the mental health needs and the gaps on addictions, to have treatment beds and detox beds in the north as a priority going forward."