Cindy Woodhouse Is the New AFN National Chief After David Pratt Concedes

Cindy Woodhouse Is the New AFN National Chief After David Pratt Concedes
Cindy Woodhouse (L), interim national chief Joanna Bernard (2nd L) and David Pratt (C) walk towards the main stage during the third day of the Assembly of First Nations Special Chiefs Assembly in Ottawa, on Dec. 7. 2023. (The Canadian Press/Spencer Colby)
The Canadian Press
12/7/2023
Updated:
12/7/2023
0:00

Cindy Woodhouse is the new national chief of the Assembly of First Nations.

The Manitoba regional chief was tapped to lead the political advocacy organization after her closest challenger, David Pratt, conceded.

After six separate rounds of voting on Dec. 6, Ms. Woodhouse had collected 50.8 percent of the registered vote—short of the 60 percent threshold needed for victory.

Mr. Pratt, vice-chief of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, did not concede as expected after the fourth ballot, or the fifth or sixth.

That concession came this morning as those gathered at the special chiefs assembly in downtown Ottawa were set to vote in a seventh round.

The election was called to replace former national chief RoseAnne Archibald, who was ousted over the findings of an investigation into complaints from five staff members about her conduct.