The inauguration of Norman A. Wapachee as Cree Grand Chief in Ouje-Bougoumou March 31 reflected the energy and pride of the Cree Nation. Swiftly organized after the surprise resignation of Mandy Gull-Masty four days earlier, there was genuine warmth in the speeches, elegant decor and delicious feast.
Ancestral heirlooms decorated the room and guests were adorned in traditional attire and regalia. Kevin-Joseph Mianscum shared that he prepared catering for 100 in just two days, with help from Kecia Metabie-Bosum and Capissisit Lodge.
Rumours about the circumstances behind Gull-Masty’s sudden “transition” to Liberal candidate in the federal election April 28 lent an air of intrigue to the event. This chatter enlivened a charter flight from Montreal with Cree government members and Gull-Masty’s daughters, who she later thanked for helping with her campaign.
Approached in late 2024 about running as a Liberal in the Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou riding, Gull-Masty thought it could be a logical step after her first term as Grand Chief ended this summer. After the election was called earlier than expected last month, the Liberal website briefly displayed Gull-Masty’s candidacy before she informed the party of her withdrawal.
“I’m still a sitting Grand Chief,” Gull-Masty recalled thinking. “I can’t leave my Nation on a one-day notice. I was very surprised to go to the Council board in a working session and they told me: “Take this opportunity’.”
Encouraged by the reaction, Gull-Masty asked the Council to draft a resolution of support from every Cree community for her nomination. News broke on March 27 about the adoption of resolution 2025-09, Requesting the Grand Chief to Pursue the Liberal Party Nomination.
“Although very challenging to make that decision – I really love my Nation and love serving them – I felt that I was taking the right one,” Gull-Masty told the Nation. “This was a message I heard, not only from the Chiefs. A lot of people reached out saying, ‘We’ll vote for you – how do we get you to Ottawa?’”
Nominations for Grand Chief open in six weeks, but Gull-Masty was assured that the Council could manage the transition, though there will be no Deputy Grand Chief until the election.
Wapachee plans no major changes during this time, only to “keep the flow, like a river.” He shares core values with Gull-Masty in “giving the land a voice” – prioritizing the environment, culture and language. He intends to maintain transparency and an open-door policy.
Describing their long relationship, Gull-Masty noted she was a five-year-old flower girl at Wapachee’s brother’s wedding, where he was the best man. Years later, they worked “hand-in-hand” on key files since their first meeting in Ouje-Bougoumou shortly after being elected.
During his warm welcome at the inauguration, Ouje Chief Gaston Cooper urged attendees to support Gull-Masty. Cooper also noted that Ouje-Bougoumou is now the first community in Eeyou Istchee to produce two Grand Chiefs (the first being Abel Bosum).
After greetings from Master of Ceremony Lance Cooper and an opening prayer from Pastor Harry Bosum, Charlie Ottereyes performed an honour song. Then Gull-Masty related her political journey from summer intern at the Cree Nation Government to becoming the first female Grand Chief.
“True leadership makes other leaders,” asserted Gull-Masty. “Norman, I wish you the best. It’s been my honour to work with you, to call you my deputy, my relative, my friend. To teach you and learn from you. It’s my biggest honour to be the first one to welcome you as the new Grand Chief.”
Moved by her remarks, Wapachee stepped up to the stage with tissues in hand. He doesn’t usually shed tears, Wapachee said, but admitted to feeling a lump in his throat when he first congratulated Gull-Masty on her candidacy. He suggested she’s “moving up and giving me that opportunity to continue working with her.”
With a large picture of his parents behind him on stage, Wapachee shared his mother’s words of approval when he and Gull-Masty were first elected. His parents attended the inauguration four years ago, but both have since passed away.
“This one, I felt their spirits were here,” said Wapachee. “They always had a big heart for me, especially when I moved west for several years for my law, Native studies and politics studies. My dad saw me as a person who would be able to make a change.”
The previous evening, Wapachee was touched to see the stage’s backdrop after spending the day butchering a moose his son had harvested. Joined on stage by their two young children, he praised his wife Anouk as his “backbone”. The crowd cheered when Wapachee hinted at being Grand Chief for four more years, but later said he’d consult his family before declaring his candidacy.
For now, Wapachee is focused on completing key files while enhancing the Cree Nation’s relationship with Quebec. There are ongoing discussions with Hydro-Québec about making upgrades to La Grande generating station and considering wind energy projects on the territory.
He’s hoping to integrate the rights and responsibilities of Eeyou Istchee into the Cree constitution, affirming the land as a living entity and establishing customary laws to manage wildlife. As chairperson of both the Eeyou Planning Commission and the Eeyou Istchee James Bay Regional Government (despite not speaking French), Wapachee wants to more closely align these structures with Cree values.
“When we talk about land-use planning, nation states see a tree or river as dollar signs,” Wapachee asserted. “I don’t see applying governing tools from Quebec as genuine Indigenous governance over the territory. Let us honour our past and embrace our future, ensuring that the flame of our culture burns bright for generations to come.”