Pierre Picard elected as Wendake's new grand chief

Pierre Picard previously worked as a psychosocial intervention worker. He replaces former grand chief Rémy Vincent.  (Guylaine Bussière/Radio-Canada - image credit)
Pierre Picard previously worked as a psychosocial intervention worker. He replaces former grand chief Rémy Vincent. (Guylaine Bussière/Radio-Canada - image credit)

The Huron-Wendat First Nation in Wendake, near Quebec City, has a new grand chief.

Pierre Picard was elected in the first round of voting Friday night, beating out his closest rival by just over 51 per cent of the vote.

Picard, who previously worked as a psychosocial intervention worker, replaces former Grand Chief Rémy Vincent, who announced in February he would not be running for a second term.

In a message published on his Facebook page following the election, Picard thanked the members of his community for their support and the "great trust" they have placed in him.

"I reiterate my commitment to working hand-in-hand with the elected members of the council, the administration and each and every one of you to defend our rights and interests, protect our culture, promote the enhancement of our identity and build a prosperous future for our nation," the post reads.

Four candidates were in the running to replace the outgoing grand chief.

Jennifer O'Bomsawin, Vincent's former chief of staff, came in second with 32 per cent, followed by former family chief René Gros-Louis and former federal government official and writer Michel Gros-Louis.

Some 41 per cent of eligible voters in the community of about 5,000 people turned out for the election.