WASWANIPI, Que.—Mandy Gull-Masty has been elected in Abitibi–Baie-James–Nunavik–Eeyou, as the first Cree woman to serve as a Member of Parliament for the region. Gull-Masty secured 41.2 per cent of the vote, unseating the two-term incumbant MP.
Gull-Masty, from Waswanipi, Que., is the former grand chief of Eeyou Istchee. She enters Parliament representing one of the largest and most culturally diverse ridings in Canada.
"This is going to be a new endeavour because I'm working not only for the Cree Nation, but also for the Inuit, the Anishinaabe, the Jamesie population, the Abitibi population," Gull-Masty told CBC reporters. "Trying to find the balance amongst the needs of all of these very diverse groups is going to be a huge undertaking. That's really important to me."
Gull-Masty says the Cree Nation has given her leadership skills. Her election brings a new voice to Ottawa-one that she says is grounded in lived experience and leadership. She thanks her Cree nation for giving her leadership skills that she is looking forward to bringing to Ottawa.
"They've really shaped me and helped prepare me as a leader," said Gull-Masty. "You learn how to listen, decision making, trying to understand where people are coming from when they're asking you something and trying to work through challenges."
She believes that Indigenous voices are crucial in policy making, decision making and implementing programs that serve remote and Indigenous communities. She told CBC, "If you want your government to evolve, to know, to understand, and respect you as an Indigenous person here in Canada, we have to have our voice at the table."
