Etienne Rich named new Grand Chief of Innu Nation
Etienne Rich has been elected the new Grand Chief of the Innu Nation in Labrador — after an election process that took place Friday evening.
The Innu Nation has also elected a Deputy Grand Chief, and Board of Directors representing about 3200 members of the Sheshatshiu and Mushuau Innu First Nations.
Rich, who is from Sheshatshiu was previously Deputy Grand Chief. He was elected with a total of 337 votes — beating out other seven competitors.
Mary Ann Nui will be the Deputy Grand Chief. She received 668 votes, beating out five competitors including the former Grand Chief, Gregory Rich.
There are four new members on the board of directors for Sheshatshiu: Jodie Ashini, Mary Janet Hill, Christopher Rich and Pien Selma.
New members for the board of directors in Natuashish include Virginia Collins and Leon Tshakapesh.
Since 1992, the Innu Nation has had gender equity on its board of directors.
Newly elected members will serve a three-year term, including the Grand Chief and Deputy Grand Chief, will begin their new duties immediately.
As elected officials, the Innu Nation will work to negotiate land claim and self-government agreements with the provincial and federal governments, protect and promote their land, resource and self-governance rights, and negotiate resource development agreements for projects in their territory, like the Voisey's Bay and Lower Churchill projects.
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