APTN National News
OTTAWA-Former Cree leader Romeo Saganash is running to replace Jack Layton as the leader of the NDP.
Saganash, 49, made the announcement Friday in his home riding of Abitibi-Baie-James-Nunavik.
The only other declared candidate in the race is former NDP President Brian Topp.
At first blush, it appears Saganash may be the first Indigenous politician to vie for the leadership of a major political party.
Layton died from cancer on Aug. 22.
Reports were swirling this week that Saganash was to announce his backing for Montreal MP Thomas Mulcair, who is viewed by many as a potential leadership frontrunner.
A Facebook page touting Saganash as leader of the NDP had 826 likes as of Friday afternoon.
Saganash resigned as director of government relations and international affairs of the Grand Council of Crees to run in the election against the Bloc Quebecois incumbent Yvon Levesque.
Levesque was forced by his party to apologize during the election after he said that Saganash’s First Nation ancestry was a liability with voters in their constituency.
