Re-elected Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak grand chief promises to push for improved northern health care

The organization that represents northern Manitoba First Nations has re-elected Garrison Settee for a third term as grand chief.

Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak announced Wednesday the former Pimicikamak Cree Nation chief received 82 out of 107 votes during the organization's 43rd annual general assembly.

The only other official candidate, O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation Chief Chris Baker, received the remaining 25 votes.

Settee was first elected to the office in 2018. The grand chief told CBC News Wednesday afternoon receiving a new mandate is an honour.

"I devote my time and my energy in having a person-to-person relationship with each of the chiefs," he said.

"It is my role to support them and my role to advocate on their behalf. So I think [I was elected for] the passion that I have to continue to work for each and every chief."

Health-care the top concern, Settee says

Settee said he will continue pushing for access to quality health-care in the northern First Nations.

On Tuesday, First-Nations-owned Mahihkan Bus Lines — which provided bus service between northern Manitoba and Winnipeg — announced it will shut down operations on Sept. 6. Community leaders have said the closure will leave many Manitobans who rely on public transit with no way to access critical services.

Settee said he's looking forward to sitting down with the chiefs and other stakeholders to figure out the best way to move forward — including ways to secure alternative funding for a bus service.

"We have to do a lot of things, just try different approaches to make sure that our people have … quality health care" and to "bring these services to First Nations, as opposed to them travelling to Winnipeg all the time."

Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak's general assembly is being held in Winnipeg and will run until Thursday. It was initially scheduled to be held in Opaskwayak Cree Nation, in northwestern Manitoba, but was moved due to wildfires and evacuations affecting several northern Manitoba communities.

Chiefs and councillors from all MKO member First Nations were eligible to vote in the election.

The grand chief serves a three-year term.

The organization represents 26 communities in northern Manitoba.