THUNDER BAY — The chiefs of member First Nations of Nishnawbe Aski Nation have chosen Derek Fox to be the next Grand Chief.
Fox, a trained lawyer from Bearskin Lake First Nation, received 30 of 41 votes that were cast during an election held virtually on Wednesday.
The only other candidate, Bruce Shisheesh of Attawapiskat First Nation, received the remaining 11 votes.
Fox has served as a NAN Deputy Grand Chief since 2015, having been re-elected in 2018.
He will serve the next three years as Grand Chief, succeeding Alvin Fiddler who stepped down this year in an unsuccessful bid for the leadership of the Assembly of First Nations.
In his acceptance remarks, Fox said "Our forefathers were visionaries who envisioned the people of Nishnawbe Aski united as a Nation. I share this vision."
He said he will work to ensure that treaties are honoured and that "our rightful claims to our lands and resources are never compromised."
Fox has stated that his priorities include providing more opportunities for NAN youth, preservation of language and culture, economic development, improvements to housing on-reserve, and action on climate change.
NAN delegates also elected three Deputy Grand Chiefs from a field of eight candidates.
The chosen ones are Anna Betty Achneepineskum of Marten Falls First Nation, Bobby Narcisse of Aroland First Nation, and Victor H. Linklater of Taykwa Tagamou Nation.
NAN is a political organization representing 49 First Nations across Northern Ontario.
NOTE: This story has been updated to include the results of voting for Deputy Grand Chief, and comments from Derek Fox