Mandy Gull-Mastyย has been named the Liberal candidate for the AbitibiโBaie-JamesโNunavikโEeyou riding in the next federal election.
Speaking at a regular meeting of the Cree Nation Government on Thursday, Gull-Mastyย cried as she announced she had accepted the nomination.
“It’s very hard on me because I love my nation so much,” she said. “I did this job with all of my heart. “
In 2021, she was elected as theย first female Grand Chief of the Cree Nation Government in Quebecย on her platform, which centred on governance, language and culture as well as the economy.
First elected to public office in 2014, she served as deputy chief of her home community, the Cree First Nation of Waswanipi, where she held the finance, administration, housing and mining negotiation portfolios, according to the Grand Council of the Crees.
The AbitibiโBaie-JamesโNunavikโEeyou riding spans from the province’s northwestern border all the way up to Nunavik. The seat is currently held by Bloc Quรฉbรฉcoisย MP Sylvie Bรฉrubรฉ.
In a news release on Thursday, the Cree Nation Government confirmed Gull-Masty’s resignation from the role of grand chiefย and thanked her for her service to Eeyou Istchee.
“Sending a strong and principled voice to represent us in Parliament to advocate for the advancement of priorities of the Abitibiens, Jamรฉsiens, Nunavimmiut and Eeyouch is an opportunity fully supported by the Cree Nation,” read the statement.
Effective March 31, Deputy Grand Chief Norman A. Wapachee will assume the role and responsibility of Grand Chief of the Grand Council of the Crees and Cree Nation Government.
