Controversial Innu leader Raphael Picard was re-elected to a third consecutive term as chief of the Innu Council of Pessamit (Betsiamites).
The election, held August 18, pitted Picard against rival Rene Simon, a man Picard defeated twice before.
Picard garnered 885 of 1,505 ballots cast while former chief Simon received 620 votes. Of the six band councillors elected, five are Picard supporters.
Picard is in the midst of launching an $11 billion lawsuit against the Quebec government for what he calls the “illegal construction” of 13 hydro dams on Innu territory without their consent.
