Cody Diabo has been elected as the Mohawk Council of Kahnawá:ke’s new Grand Chief.
The results were announced early Sunday morning in the Kanien’kéha:ka community south of Montreal. Diabo was elected to the top position on council with 542 votes, while incumbent Grand Chief Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer, who was elected in 2021, received 275 votes.
Gina Deer came in second with 343 ballots cast.
Diabo had been serving on the council as lead portfolio chief for lands and territories.
“At first the initial shock and speechlessness kind of set over, which is a little rare for myself. I have heard about all the support I had in the community,” said Diabo.
“There’s a lot of work that needs to be done. We’re in constant struggles with the external governments. And I think it’s time now that we start putting them to task.”
A total of 1164 ballots were cast in yesterday’s election. Voters also selected 11 Council Chiefs, six of whom are newly-elected:
- Ryan Montour
- Tonya Perron
- Melanie Morrison
- Arnold Boyer
- Ross Montour
- Paul Rice
- Stephen A McComber
- David A. Diabo
- Iohahi:io Delisle
- Jeffery Diabo
- Jeremiah Johnson