Arlen Dumas is the new voice of Manitoba First Nations.
Dumas, the veteran chief of Pukatawagan-based Mathias Colomb Cree Nation, has been elected Grand Chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs.
“I am honoured to be so strongly supported by my colleagues along with my community members, family and friends,” he said in a statement.
Manitoba chiefs elected Dumas to the position during an assembly in Nelson House on Wednesday, July 19.
He earned 33 out of 54 votes in a five-candidate field. Wasagamack Cree Nation chief Sharon Mason placed second with
eight votes.
Dumas, 42, will succeed Grand Chief Derek Nepinak, who did not seek reelection.
Born and raised in Pukatawagan, Dumas became chief of the northern reserve in 2008. He has also served as vice-chief of Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak and in several capacities with the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs.
Among Flin Flon residents, Dumas may be best known for leading protests against Hudbay’s Lalor and Reed mine projects in 2013.
He and his fellow protestors argued Hudbay lacked the authority to operate its Lalor and Reed mines because they were on traditional Indigenous territory.
More recently, Dumas has been a driving force behind a deal that would transfer ownership of the Hudson Bay Railway and Port of Churchill from US-based OmniTrax to a consortium of First Nations.
