Sheila North won't seek re-election to MKO, mulling bid for national chief

Grand Chief Sheila North won't seek another term as leader of ManitobaKeewatinowiOkimakanak, but that doesn't mean she's done with politics.

"At this time, I can confirm I have told the MKO executive I will not be seeking re-election as I prepare for new opportunities," North said in a statement Saturday.

That could include a run for a position as national chief once her term with MKOends this year.

"I have been approached by some chiefs, elders and band members across Canada to consider a run for national chief of the Assembly of First Nations. I take this request and responsibility very seriously and am considering the necessary planning. I will have more to say in the near future," North said.

ManitobaKeewatinowiOkimakanakrepresents30 First Nations in Northern Manitoba. North's 2015 election made her the organization's first-ever female chief.

TheAssembly of First Nationsrepresents 634 First Nations across the country.

MKO election: Sheila North Wilson elected as first female grand chief

9 years ago

Duration 1:58

Sheila North Wilson is the new grand chief of Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) after being elected at the annual general assembly being held in the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation.

Last month, four MKO member communities in the Island Lakes regionannounced they would be pulling out of the organizationto advocate on their own behalf.

WasagamackChief Alex McDougall previously told CBCthere is no bad blood between MKOand the Island Lake First Nations. He said, however, that often when they are negotiating for better services, they feel they are notheard by the provincial and federal governmentand are referred instead to MKO.

North, a former journalist for CBC and CTV, is credited with starting the #MMIW hashtagand co-producing a documentary on the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. She is originally from BunibonibeeCree Nation.

In her three-year term, North has taken public stands on the suicide crisis in Indigenous communitiesandracial profiling, spoken at the UN and called the Manitoba government out as "'the most racist provincial government in Canada."

Bellegarde running for re-election

Nominations for the Assembly of First Nations national chief election close in May.

Incumbent Perry Bellegarde, fromLittle Black Bear First Nation in Treaty4 territory in Saskatchewan, has launched his re-election campaign,touting a close and fruitful relationship with the Trudeau government which has added $16 billion in new spending for the Indigenous file over the last three federal budgets.

He was elected in 2014 after Shawn Atleo stepped down.

Russ Diabofrom Kahnawake, a Mohawk community south of Montreal, is also in the running, spurred by what he calls the "threat" posed to Indigenous rights by the AFN having too close a relationship with the Trudeau government.

The vote forAFNnational chief is scheduled for July 25 in Vancouver.