Assembly of First Nations leadership elections facts for kids

The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is a group that represents First Nations people across Canada. Every three years, the AFN holds elections to choose its national chief. This leader speaks for First Nations communities on important issues.

Each chief from the 634 First Nations in Canada can vote in these elections. To win, a candidate needs to get 60% of the votes. If many candidates are running, the one with the fewest votes is usually dropped after each round. Also, any candidate who gets less than 15% of the votes is automatically dropped.

If only two candidates are left, the election continues until one person reaches 60% of the votes, or the other candidate gives up.

Past Elections for National Chief

1968

The winner was Walter Dieter.

1970

The winner was George Manuel.

1972

The winner was George Manuel.

1974

The winner was George Manuel.

1976

This election was held in Whitehorse, Yukon, on September 16, 1976. The winner was Noel Starblanket (he won without anyone else running against him).

1978

The winner was Noel Starblanket.

1980

The winner was Delbert Riley.

1982

This election was held in Penticton, British Columbia, on April 21, 1982.

First Round

After this round, Clive Linklater and Sykes Powderface were dropped because they had the fewest votes. Delbert Riley then decided to withdraw from the race.

Second Round

1985

This election took place in Vancouver, British Columbia, on July 30, 1985.

First Round

Second Round

1988

This election was held in Edmonton, Alberta. The winner was Georges Erasmus.

1991

This election took place in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on June 11, 1991.

First Round

1994

This election was held in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, on July 6, 1994.

First Round

Third Round

1997

This election took place in Vancouver, British Columbia, on July 30, 1997.

First Round

Fourth Round

2000

This election was held in Ottawa, Ontario, on July 12, 2000.

First Round

Second Round

2003

This election took place in Edmonton, Alberta, on July 16, 2003.

First Round

Second Round

2006

This election was held in Vancouver, British Columbia, on July 12, 2006.

2009

The 2009 election was held in Calgary, Alberta, on July 22. Candidates included Shawn Atleo, Terry Nelson, Perry Bellegarde, Bill Wilson, and John Beaucage.

The election had a very close tie for many rounds. A candidate needs 60% to win, unless the other person gives up. Perry Bellegarde gave up after the eighth round, even though Shawn Atleo had not yet reached 60%.

First Round

Terry Nelson and Bill Wilson were dropped after this round. John Beaucage also dropped out and supported Perry Bellegarde.

Second Round

Third Round

Fourth Round

Fifth Round

Sixth Round

Seventh Round

Eighth Round

2012

The 2012 election was held in Toronto, Ontario, on July 18, 2012. Candidates included Shawn Atleo, Diane Kelly, Bill Erasmus, Terrance Nelson, Pamela Palmater, Ellen Gabriel, Joan Jack, and George Stanley.

First Round

Second Round

Third Round

2014

The 2014 election happened on December 10. The candidates were Perry Bellegarde, Ghislain Picard, and Leon Jourdain.

2018

The 2018 election took place on July 25, 2018, in Vancouver, British Columbia. The candidates were the current chief, Perry Bellegarde, Russell Diabo, Sheila North, Miles Richardson, and Katherine Whitecloud.

First Round

Second Round

2021

RoseAnne Archibald won the election on July 8, 2021. Her opponent, Reginald Bellerose, gave up after the fifth round of voting. Neither of them had reached the 60% needed to win, but Bellerose decided to withdraw before the sixth round.

See also

• Presidents of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
• Metis National Council