Manitoba Regional Chief Cindy Woodhouse seeks to lead Assembly of First Nations

Manitoba Regional Chief Cindy Woodhouse has announced her candidacy in the upcoming Assembly of First Nations national chief election.

Woodhouse said at a news conference on Tuesday that Indigenous Peoples face a lot of problems in Canada, but their resilience gives her hope that things can improve.

"I have seen what we can do when we come together," said Woodhouse.

"As national chief, I will listen, work hard and always fight for a better life for First Nations and First Nations children."

She made her announcement at the RBC Convention Centre in Winnipeg, with more than 15 chiefs from across the country standing behind her.

The upcoming election comes after the dramatic ouster of former national chief RoseAnne Archibald, who was voted out after colleagues accused her of creating a toxic work environment — an allegation she continues to deny.

"People can always say that the AFN is broken, but I don't see that," Woodhouse said in an interview shortly after her announcement.

"I see chiefs wanting to work together on common issues."

Woodhouse says she'll be a 'bridge-builder'

Woodhouse said that growing up in Pinaymootang First Nation, she saw a disparity between her community and non-Indigenous communities. As a result, she said, she is devoted to making the lives of First Nations people more equal.

She said one of her first priorities if elected would be to work on First Nations policing, saying communities are facing many challenges and Ottawa isn't listening enough.

"They want to talk about policing legislation, but they don't want to talk about jurisdiction, so I think that we have a big discussion that we have to have in this country, and I think our chiefs need to be at the table on that," said Woodhouse.

Renewing and strengthening relationships federally and provincially is another item on her agenda, she said. 

"My parents have taught me to try and be a bridge-builder with people, and I'll continue to do that."

Woodhouse worked as the lead negotiator in a class-action lawsuit against the federal government for what the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal called "wilful and reckless" treatment of approximately 300,000 First Nations children, youth and families.

The settlement includes $23 billion in compensation for those who were affected, and another $20 billion to reform the child welfare system.

"I know that there's still policies that are negatively affecting our people," said Woodhouse.

"We still have to have a major conversation in this country on working together and finding a different path forward."

PC leader should apologize to families for ads

During her announcement, Woodhouse also said she accepts Manitoba Progressive Conservative Leader Heather Stefanson's apology for ads her party ran during the leadup to the Oct. 3 provincial election.

The ads highlighted the party's opposition to a potential search at a Winnipeg-area landfill for the remains of two missing First Nations women.

"Just a couple of weeks ago, there was racism in our face on billboards," Woodhouse said. "And I do want to thank the former premier for acknowledging that she was wrong."

On Friday, Stefanson told CBC that the PCs' billboard and newspaper election ads regarding the landfill search had "unintended consequences" and apologized for them, saying they were not "intended to hurt anyone."

However, Woodhouse said Stefanson still has to apologize to the women's families.

Vote coming in December

David Pratt was the first person to announce his intention to run to be the new national chief of the Assembly of First Nations.

Pratt currently serves as a vice-chief with the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, an organization representing 74 First Nations in Saskatchewan.

His platform focuses on unity and inclusion, reconciliation and rights, economic empowerment and environmental stewardship.

In his August announcement, Pratt said the AFN is at a "critical juncture" and the election is about restoring and rebuilding the national organization.

The vote is set to take place during a special assembly in December in Ottawa.