Names of contenders surface in AFN vote – The Globe and Mail

May 20, 2014

A veteran of native politics and an indigenous broadcaster are the first people being named as potential challengers to succeed Shawn Atleo as National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations.

The winner of the contest, which will be decided by an assembly of chiefs later this year, will face the daunting challenge of finding common ground across the hundreds of diverse native communities in Canada while proving the relevance of the national body to an increasingly dubious grassroots.

Perry Bellegarde, the Chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations and the Regional Chief for Saskatchewan on the executive of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), is said to be considering a run at the job. Mr. Bellegarde could not be reached for comment on Tuesday, but people close to him said they expect his name will be on the ballot.

Also weighing his chances is Wab Kinew, the director of Indigenous Inclusion at the University of Winnipeg who hosted the CBC Television series 8th Fire and has won several media awards.