b'CHIEF PROFILEQ&A with Chief Amanda Sainnawapof Pikangikum First NationBY CHRISTINE MISKONOODINKWE SMITHQ.How long have you been acting asnever run for Chief, and it is primarily aThis trend I believe is women taking Chief in your community? male-dominated role in my community.their historical roles as matriarchs. In pre-A.I was elected on February 12, 2019.I wanted girls and women to knowcontact times, historically our culture was that a woman can run for Chief, anda matriarchal society. Another thought to Q.Why did you decide to runthat women are just as capable. I wasthis trend is more Indigenous women are for Chief? honestly not expecting to win thegetting educated with university degrees. I election, just because of the history:truly believe that this trend will continue. A.I had no plans to go into politics a woman has never been a ChiefThere are five women, me included, and sure, I had thoughts about it, but it wasin Pikangikum. seven men on Pikangikum Council.just thoughts. When I was a little girl,A few weeks ago, all five of us women my dad Gord Peters (who is a formerQ.Women have been steadily on theon the council were sitting in our Chief) had told me, Amanda, one dayrise in terms of their participationboardroom and our 70-year-old Elder you are going to be the first woman chiefin the leadership in Ontarios Firstcouncillor came in and sat down with us. of Pikangikum. I really look up to myNations populations. Do you haveHe looked at us and said, All these years dad, and I grew up watching my dad andany thoughts on this trend? What areI have been on council, I have never his roles he had in politics. I also sawsome possible causes behind this? been so outnumbered by women around how stressful being a leader in the com- this table.munity was. A.Recently, the council showed When the former Chief, Deanme a list of all the former Chiefs ofI am so proud to work with these Owen, resigned, people started tellingPikangikum since the late 1800s. I wasstrong women; they have all been on the me I should consider running, andin awe to see this list because it showedPikangikum Council for a number of years.the thought was planted in my head. Imy late great grandfather, my late grand-could not shake it off. After thinkingfather and my father among all the greatQ.What would you like to accom-and mulling it over, I didnt actuallyleaders Pikangikum has had in the lastplish during your term as Chief?accept the nomination until the endcentury. When I saw my name as cur- A.Infrastructure is an area that of the nomination meeting. I acceptedrent Chief, the first female Chief, thereneeds to be addressed in Pikangikum. the nomination because a woman haswas a moment of almost disbelief. Everything from shortage of housing, 58l ISSUE 1 2019C hIEfS ofo ntarIoA dvocAte magazInE'