Walpole Island First Nation has elected a new Chief.
Leela Thomas was elected as to the position on Saturday, replacing former Chief Dan Miskokomon, who withdrew from the race after the ballots were printed.
Thomas, who will serve a two-year term, beat out a field of six candidates, earning 607 votes. Thomas easily beat out the second-place finisher by 420 votes.
Lee Kicknosway garnered the most votes of any council candidate, with 444. Others elected to council included; Anika Altiman, Harmony Blackbird, Clint Jacobs, Elaine Wrightman, Matthew Nahdee, Trenton Soney, Amy White, Charlene Altiman, Judy Peters, Jason Sword and Bruce Sands.
Over the past few weeks, protestors have been outside of the Walpole Island Governance Building citing a long list of accusations against the former chief and council, ranging from alleged nepotism and misappropriation of funds to abuse of power.
The new chief and council will hold their first meeting Monday night, followed by a swearing-in ceremony Thursday at 5pm.
