TIMMINS - There’s a temporary change in leadership at Mushkegowuk Council because of a medical leave.
Grand Chief Leo Friday is currently receiving care at Timmins and District Hospital, Mushkegowuk Council announced on Saturday (Nov. 16). He’s waiting to be transferred to Health Sciences North in Sudbury for further treatment. During Friday’s absence, Deputy Grand Chief Natasha Martin has been appointed acting grand chief.
Martin provided an update on Friday’s condition today (Nov. 18).
“He’s doing good. I’ve seen him quite a few times since he’s been in the hospital here in Timmins. He’s in great spirits. He’s still very much himself,” she said.
Martin highlighted challenges with healthcare access in Ontario.
“He’s actually not transferred as of yet. He’s still in Timmins here. He’s waiting for a bed. And I guess that just really kind of speaks to the health services within Ontario,” she said.
“You know, we experienced that as Omushkego people, the services in the north, but the services don’t get any better the farther south you go. If anything, it’s like it almost gets worse because of the amount of people.”
As acting grand chief, Martin acknowledged the responsibility and “balancing act” she now faces.
“I’m not sure how long I’ll be acting as grand chief. It all depends. Hopefully not too long,” she said.
“No one will be taking over my role. I am going to take the priorities of the grand chief, and also do mine as well. We also have Deputy Grand Chief Amos Wesley, so I’ll be leaning on him as well for support during this time.”
Martin said Friday has a lot of experience.”
“He knows the people, he knows the language, and I’ve learned a lot from him,” she said.
“He’s a great mentor. I already feel that he’s not in the office, and he’s only been gone for about a week. I really just hope that I can do him justice.”
Martin also spoke about the grand chief’s leadership style, which uses personal stories to connect with others.
“I love how he gets his point across. Everything he does he relates to a personal experience or story. So it even makes it that much more relatable,” she said.
Recognizing the emotional weight of leadership, Martin shared how her own perspective has shifted.
“I never understood why people would always say pray for our leaders until I was in my position as deputy grand chief,” she said.
“We have to make decisions and we have to make these choices that are hard and that affect people. It can be a lot. So, now I say that to everybody, ‘Keep us in prayer.’ The best sense of love is to be sending prayers.”
