WINNIPEG — Voting is underway in Winnipeg to elect a new national leader for the Assembly of First Nations.
As of late Tuesday, 406 chiefs and proxies were registered to vote.
One of the three candidates needs 60 per cent of the ballots cast to win.
Ghislain (Zhis-LAYN') Picard, the assembly's interim leader, has told delegates the federal government's policies have been a total failure for First Nations and it's time for justice.
Perry Bellegarde, chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, said he wants to restore pride among First Nations and focus on self-determination.
Leon Jourdain, chief of the Lac La Croix First Nation in Ontario, said he would focus on grassroots concerns rather than the demands of Ottawa.
The more than 400 registered voters represent 63 per cent of 639 chiefs across Canada who are eligible to cast a ballot.
The winner will have an extra six months added to his three-year term as the organization restructures amid questions about its relevance.
Many argue the assembly should wean itself off federal funding, while others have argued it doesn't reflect the views and concerns of grassroots people.
The AFN's top job came open earlier this year when former national chief Shawn Atleo resigned due to fallout from his support of a controversial federal act to reform First Nations education.
Voting is expected to conclude by 12 p.m. CST with results of the first ballot announced early in the afternoon.
