Walpole Island First Nation chooses new Chief [Video]

Leela Thomas has been elected Chief of Walpole Island First Nation, leading a wave of change after weeks of protest and frustration aimed at the previous Band Council.

Thomas, along with 10 newly elected Councillors, is set to be sworn in later this week following Saturday’s vote.

Election Day came days after previous Chief Dan Miskokomon abruptly withdrew from the race.

With Miskokomon’s exit, six candidates remained for the position of Chief, and Thomas secured more than half the votes, winning with 607 out of 1,213 valid ballots cast.

The election also saw significant change on the Band Council, where members voted to fill 12 seats from a pool of 62 candidates.

Two incumbent Councillors, Amy White and Elaine Wrightman, were re-elected, while 10 new faces will join the council.

In a post on social media, Thomas vowed to get to work immediately, announcing a meeting with the newly elected …