Jean-Guy Whiteduck Re-elected Chief of Kitigan Zibi

Drazen Seslija

Members of the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg community have granted Jean-Guy Whiteduck another term as chief, re-elected in the elections held on August 15, 2026.

According to official results, Whiteduck received 283 votes, ahead of Francine Whiteduck, who garnered 242 votes, and Faith Decontie, who had 222 votes. He therefore finished with a lead of 41 votes over his closest rival and 61 votes over the third-place candidate.

This victory marks a new chapter in Jean-Guy Whiteduck's long political career. He served as chief for over 35 years, from 1976 to 2006, from 2015 to 2018, and again since 2024.

During the campaign, the outgoing chief indicated his intention to continue efforts related to Aboriginal title, resource management on the ancestral Algonquin territory, and discussions with Hydro-Québec regarding the historical impacts of hydroelectric developments on the community's land.

At the council level, voters also opted for continuity. Five of the six councillors from the previous term were re-elected, ensuring stability within the community's administration for the coming years.

Located near Maniwaki, in the Vallée-de-la-Gatineau region, Kitigan Zibi is the largest Algonquin community in Quebec. The re-election of Jean-Guy Whiteduck therefore confirms the confidence of a significant portion of voters in an experienced leader who remains an influential figure in Indigenous politics in the Outaouais.