More than a year after Sheila North unsuccessfully ran to lead one of Manitoba's largest First Nations political organizations, the Cree leader and journalist is ready to try again.
The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs is preparing to host a byelection later this month to fill its top position after it removed Arlen Dumas as grand chief over harassment allegations, which he has denied."Ultimately, it's being asked of my community to do this," North said in an interview. "I feel I still have enough energy to respond to the call."
She's no stranger to the title of "first" — she was also elected the first female leader of the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, an advocacy group representing northern First Nations in the province, in 2015. "I can help with restoring the reputation that it had of being inclusive and protective of all people and advocating for all people, while not harming anyone," she said.
Many First Nations communities are matriarchal and were historically governed by women, but some say colonization and the Indian Act disrupted these ways. In the colonial chief-and-council governance system, Levasseur is considered the first. But she says in a historical context, there have been many female leaders before her.
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