Last night, the Manitoba Métis Federation Portage Local held its election at the Herman Prior Centre. Three new members were voted in as chair, vice chair and secretary/treasurer.

Kerri Vandenberg will now serve as chair, after two and a half years as secretary/treasurer. She tells us how she thinks the transition will go.

"I've done a lot of leg work, a lot of hands-on, so moving into the chair position isn't going to change that," says Vandenberg. "I'll still be doing all the hands-on. It'll be exciting and a good learning experience. I've sat on a lot of boards but not as a chair."

Vandenberg says her previous experience as secretary/treasurer will help open more doors for her, as she knows how things work. She notes she's looking forward to the position and to see new things happen within the local. She adds it's been a bit stagnant for a while with not a lot of movement.

Kim Chipman will now serve as vice chair, while Sandra Sharpe is secretary/treasurer. Vice President of the Southwest Regional Office Leah Laplante along with Will Goodon, Housing and Property Management Minister, and Métis Employment and Training Minister John Fleury assisted with running the election meeting.