Season Roulette was officially sworn in as Chief of Norway House Cree Nation on August 4, 2026, at the Kinosao Sipi Multiplex, marking a new chapter for the community of roughly 9,400 members in northern Manitoba. The ceremony included a traditional honour song, opening prayer, and oath of office readings, with Grand Chief Garrison Settee of the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak among those offering remarks.
The swearing-in follows a tightly contested election that drew significant attention. The original vote on March 10, 2026, ended with just one ballot separating the two candidates – Roulette received 757 votes and former chief Larson Anderson received 756. After an appeal alleging an improperly rejected ballot, the result was deemed a tie, triggering a runoff on May 1.
Roulette secured a decisive victory in the runoff, earning 2,826 votes to Anderson’s 1,468, according to live-streamed results posted by the Nation. The election was overseen by Electoral Officer Myrna O’Soup-Bushie.
Two weeks after the runoff, Roulette outlined a clear path forward in her report to the community, stating, “Fourteen days ago, you very clearly placed your trust in this Chief and Council, with a clear mandate: Transparency, Accountability, and Sustainable Operations and Growth.”
Norway House Cree Nation, located about 460 kilometres north of Winnipeg, is one of Manitoba’s largest First Nations communities. This summer, the community also hosted the Manitoba Indigenous Summer Games from July 8-12, the first time the event had been held in 15 years – a milestone highlighting the Nation’s focus on youth and cultural celebration as it embarks on this fresh leadership term.
