Grand Chief, Deputy Grand Chiefs of Nishnawbe Aski Nation

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ONTARIO REGIONAL CHIEF STAN BEARDY CONGRATULATES NEWLY ELECTED NAN EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

8/16/2012

Toronto, ON — Harvey Yesno, of Eabametoong First Nation, was elected Grand Chief of Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) yesterday after three rounds of voting. He was elected by Chiefs and proxies from NAN’s 49 member First Nations. Yesno will be joining Alvin Fiddler of Muskrat Dam First Nation, Goyce Kakegamic of Keewaywin, and Les Louttit of Fort Albany First Nation — who were elected as NAN’s Deputy Grand Chiefs — on the NAN Executive Council.

“I congratulate the newly elected Grand Chief and Deputy Grand Chiefs. The Chiefs have made their selection for their new Executive Council and I look forward to working with them on NAN’s challenges and opportunities. I have worked with all four Executive members in the past and I am confident the members of NAN will be served well," said Ontario Regional Chief Stan Beardy.

Yesno and the Deputy Grand Chiefs were elected during the 31st Keewaywin Chiefs Conference in Kashechewan, which continues today.

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August 16, 2012

Assembly of First Nations National Chief Congratulates Newly Elected Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief

(Ottawa, ON) - Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo today offered congratulations to newly elected Grand Chief of Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Harvey Yesno, elected yesterday afternoon at NAN’s 31st Keewaywin Chiefs Assembly held this year in Kashechewan First Nation.

“I offer congratulations to newly elected Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Harvey Yesno and look forward to working with him, the NAN executive and NAN leadership to address priority areas in Treaty 9 and Treaty 5 territory,” said AFN National Chief Shawn Atleo. “I commend the commitment and dedication of Stan Beardy who has served as Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief since 2000, and who recently joined the national executive as AFN Regional Chief for Ontario.”

Grand Chief Harvey Yesno is from Eabametoong (Fort Hope) First Nation, where he served as Chief for five terms, councillor for one term and senior project management from 1977 to 1991. Guided by the objective of creating sustainable business and economic development sectors in the Aboriginal community, and the development of regional and community institutions to achieve self-determination, Grand Chief Yesno has worked in a number of different capacities at Nishnawbe Aski Nation/Grand Council Treaty 9, Chiefs of Ontario/Ontario First Nation Limited Partnership and the Assembly of First Nations.

Also elected yesterday were Deputy Grand Chiefs Alvin Fiddler, Les Louttit and Goyce Kakegamic who will join Grand Chief Yesno on the NAN executive council, advocating on behalf of 49 First Nation communities in Ontario.

NAN Chiefs, representing the Ojibway, Cree and Ojicree of Treaty 9 and Treaty 5 territory will continue with their final day of Assembly in Kashechewan tomorrow. For more information visit http://www.nan.on.ca

The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada. Follow @AFN_Updates, @AFN_Comms.

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August 15, 2012 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NAN CHIEFS ELECT HARVEY YESNO AS GRAND CHIEF

KASHECHEWAN FIRST NATION, ON: Chiefs and proxies from Nishnawbe Aski Nation’s
(NAN) 49 First Nation communities elected Harvey Yesno, of Eabametoong First Nation, as Grand
Chief this afternoon during the XXXI Keewaywin Chiefs Conference in Kashechewan First Nation.

Yesno was elected along with three Deputy Grand Chiefs who are responsible for specific portfolios
at NAN including education, health, justice, and governance.

Elected as Deputy Grand Chief are:
1. Alvin Fiddler of Muskrat Dam First Nation
2. Goyce Kakegamic of Keewaywin First Nation
3. Les Louttit of Fort Albany First Nation

The new NAN Executive Council was sworn into office immediately. The Keewaywin
Conference continues on Thursday, August 16, in Kashechewan under the direction of the new
Executive Council.

Nishnawbe Aski Nation is a political territorial organization representing 49 First Nation communities in
James Bay Treaty No. 9 and Ontario portions of Treaty No. 5 – an area covering two thirds of the province of
Ontario in Canada.

For more information please contact Christina Filazzola, Communications Officer – Nishnawbe Aski
Nation (807)625-4928or cell (807) 251-6386 or by email cfilazzola@nan.on.ca.