Linda Debassige has officially been sworn in as Chief of M’Chigeeng on Manitoulin Island, albeit seven months after her election.
The move follows a settlement between her and the M’Chigeeng Election Appeals Committee asking the court to reverse an earlier decision to set aside the fall election results and hold a new one this month.
The election results from September 9th, 2017 had been appealed through an anonymous letter stating the band membership list used did not conform to the band’s new custom election code.
The Committee agreed following legal counsel, but after a public outcry, changed its mind.
Justice Peter Annis issued the final decision in court on March 27th in Ottawa that the original election results stand.
Debassige was joined by her council of 10 band members who were also elected last fall.
