b'THE FIRST 120 DAYSThe First 120 Days BY NIKITA DAYNewly elected Ontario Regional Chief reflects on the beginning of his termI n June of 2024, former Akwesasne Grand Chief Abramcommunication with various ministries that affect us, affect our Benedict was elected as the new Ontario Regional Chiefcommunities, and that our communities work with or could be for the Chiefs of Ontario. As Grand Chief, Benedictworking with, says Regional Chief Benedict.led a council of 12 members that governed the MohawkThe new Ontario Regional Chief is no stranger to Community of Akwesasne. During this time, he implementedcommunity leadership. Prior to joining the Mohawk Council several change initiatives, including a review of governance struc- of Akwesasne, Regional Chief Benedict worked in the private tures as well as a system review and analysis of a workforce ofbusiness sector and volunteered for the Ontario Association of 800 predominantly Mohawk employees. Chief Benedict also ledChildrens Aid Societies as the Aboriginal Representative to the several successful negotiations, which resulted in two land claimsBoard of Directors. He went on to spend nine years as a member with proceeds of over $280 million going towards the advance- of the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne and another nine as their ment of Akwesasnes priorities.Grand Chief. But he says moving into the position of Ontario Now, as the Ontario Regional Chief, Benedict emphasizesRegional Chief has come with its differencesmainly being less the importance of relationship building with all levels ofengaged with on-the-ground community issues and being more government, including with the communities he serves acrossfocused on advocacy for community leadership. Im not getting the region. Its trying to meet with various stakeholders orcommunity members calling me saying my service was cut off nations across our region and validate some of the things thator Ive had an issue with the borderthose things are important Ive heard around the challenges that they face in the north.on the ground, but Im not getting those calls, which is a bit of Since his election, Regional Chief Benedict has beena change for me, he admits. However, his past experience as travelling to different northern communities, attendingGrand Chief has made Regional Chief Benedict well aware of events and speaking with leaders, alongside meeting withthe responsibilities held by community leaders133 Chiefs various members of the provincial and federal government.across the regionwho receive those calls regularly on top of But it is engagement with these communities that informs histrying to meet the needs and the demands of the community.priorities, which include Mtis rights assertions, additions toFor Regional Chief Benedict, relationship building reserves, mining and northern relations, among many others.with communities and government means addressing the My approach is really to make sure we have those lines ofinfringement of First Nations jurisdiction. This comes up often 18l I ssue1 2024/25C hIefs ofo ntarIoA dvocAte magazIne'