FORT WILLIAM FIRST NATION – A familiar face is back as chief.
Peter Collins was elected as the new chief of Fort William First Nation during the band election on Saturday, prevailing over incumbent Georjann Morriseau and fellow challengers Ken Ogima, Mark Boucher and Glenn Bannon.
Collins had previously served six terms as Fort William First Nation chief from 1998 until 2013. He was most recently the Regional Grand Chief.
“I’m excited to be back in the community of Fort William. I think my heart has been here, my mind has been here even in the last two years I’ve taken off and been away as a leader,” he said Sunday afternoon.
Collins said his first priority as chief is to address the ongoing James Street Swing Bridge situation.
He wants to put an end to members having to use Highway 61 with big, industrial and fast-moving traffic to travel between the reserve and Thunder Bay.
“One of the things I’ve been talking about is a short-term plan with a long-term plan attached to it,” he said.
“I think at the end of the day the bridge has outlived its life cycle by probably 30 to 35 years. We need a new bridge.”
Electoral officer Paula Hyslop said more than 700 ballots were cast in the election, which took place on Saturday. A vote breakdown was not immediately available.
Morriseau was seeking re-election to a second term after taking office in 2013, a race in which Collins did not run.
Despite the defeat, Morriseau will sit as one of the 12 band councillors.
There were 66 candidates in the council race with incumbents Leo Bannon Sr., Leo Bannon (Jiggs), Dwight Boucher, Valerie Chapman, Jennelle Charlie and Sherry Pelletier retaining their seats.
The council term begins on April 15.
Full list of newly elected council members:
- Jennelle Charlie
- Sherry Lynn Pelletier
- Georjann Morriseau
- Leo Bannon Sr.
- Leo Bannon (Jiggs)
- Michael J. Pelletier Sr.
- Phil Pelletier
- Dwight Boucher
- Kyle MacLaurin
- Anthony Collins Sr.
- Valerie Chapman
- Michelle Solomon
