OTTAWA, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Canada's First Nations leaders and delegates on Thursday elected Cindy Woodhouse, a regional chief from Manitoba, as the new national chief.

"I am honoured that the Chiefs-in-Assembly have placed their trust in me to lead the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) and I want to thank my fellow candidates who put their names forward," Woodhouse said in a press release.

"My commitment to them is to advocate on behalf of all our communities and to improve life for all First Nations. That advocacy starts with accountability, transparency and dialogue. There is much work to do and I am eager to get started on behalf of all our people," she said.

The AFN is a national advocacy organization that works to advance the collective aspirations of First Nations individuals and communities across Canada on matters of national or international nature and concern.

Following the final ballot results, Woodhouse participated in the Oath of Office ceremony to officially assume the position of National Chief for the Assembly of First Nations.

As regional chief, Woodhouse was the lead negotiator for the AFN on a multibillion-dollar settlement over child-welfare services for First Nations children.

The organization's national chief is elected by chiefs and proxies from communities across the country. In June 2023, AFN members voted to remove RoseAnne Archibald as national chief following a third-party investigation into complaints made against her by several AFN staff members. Enditem

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