Mandy Gull-Masty ready for 'huge undertaking' as 1st Cree woman elected MP in northern Quebec
CBC
Mandy Gull-Masty has been elected in Abitibi–Baie-James–Nunavik–Eeyou, making her the first Cree woman to serve as a Member of Parliament for the region.
Gull-Masty secured 41.2 per cent of the vote on Monday, unseating two-term Bloc Québécois MP Sylvie Bérubé who finished with 34 per cent of the vote.
Gull-Masty is from Waswanipi, Que., and is the former grand chief of Eeyou Istchee. She enters Parliament representing one of the largest and most culturally diverse ridings in Canada.
"This is going to be a new endeavour because I'm working not only for the Cree Nation, but also for the Inuit, the Anishinaabe, the Jamesie population, the Abitibi population," said Gull-Masty.
"Trying to find the balance amongst the needs of all of these very diverse groups is going to be a huge undertaking. That's really important to me."
Her election brings a new voice to Ottawa — one that she says is grounded in lived experience and leadership. She thanks her Cree nation for giving her leadership skills.
"They've really shaped me and helped prepare me as a leader," said Gull-Masty.
"You learn how to listen, decision making, trying to understand where people are coming from when they're asking you something, and trying to work through challenges."
Now Gull-Masty is looking forward to bringing those skills to Ottawa.
She believes that Indigenous voices are crucial in policy making, decision making, and implementing programs that serve remote and Indigenous communities.
"If you want your government to evolve, to know, to understand, and respect you as an Indigenous person here in Canada, we have to have our voice at the table," she said.
"So it is going to be my honour and pleasure to undertake that work for them."
Gull-Masty is one of 12 First Nations, Inuit or Métis people elected to Parliament as the ballot count continues Tuesday.
For her, being heavily involved in Indigenous communities is a must. She feels that Bérubé did not do enough as MP to connect with and understand Indigenous communities.
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