First Nations leader Ghislain Picard won't seek another mandate as regional chief

Ghislain Picard, who headed the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador (AFNQL) for more than 30 years, will not seek another mandate. 

Picard announced his decision in a letter, dated Dec. 19, sent to the 43 chiefs who comprise the organization.

"This is where the curtain comes down after nearly 35 years of a rewarding political life," he wrote in the letter, obtained by Radio-Canada's Espaces autochtones.

He said the letter was one of the most difficult he has had to write, and he only did so after a long period of reflection, and with a mixture of emotions. 

"There are no words to express how grateful I am to have benefited from your support and that of the leaders who preceded you," he wrote. 

Picard was first elected head of the AFNQL in 1992. The AFNQL was created in 1985. Its leader sits as a regional chief on the executive council of the Assembly of First Nations.

In his letter, Picard explained that since his first mandate, he has strived to do everything in his power to serve Indigenous communities with humility and respect. 

"I firmly believe that the AFNQL has succeeded in meeting the challenge of making our issues more visible, in an environment that too easily tends to bypass our priorities," he wrote.

Picard declined an Espaces autochtones interview request. 

As regional chief of the AFNQL, Picard fought racism and discrimination, notably by tabling an action plan following the Viens Commission, which investigated relations between Indigenous people and certain public services in Quebec.

He also spoke out in favour of recognizing systemic racism in the health-care system following the death of Joyce Echaquan.

Konrad Sioui, who served as Picard's predecessor, said Picard was a solid leader. During Sioui's tenure, in the early years of the AFNQL, he said he spent much of his time grappling with political problems: issues around the repatriation of the constitution, for example. 

Sioui said after he left, Picard took over and began pushing for more programs and services for First Nations people — a different kind of fight. 

"We have to commend Ghislain for what he did for all these years," he said. "This is a hard job and a hard task and he did excellent." 

The nomination period for the next head of the AFNQL runs until Feb. 10. On Feb. 25, the 43 chiefs who represent Indigenous communities in Quebec and Labrador will vote for a new leader.