PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE, MB-Jerry Daniels is the new grand chief of the Southern Chiefs Organization (SCO), voted in to replace longtime leader Terry Nelson.

Daniels is the son of a veteran Manitoba leader, Long Plain First Nation Chief Dennis Meeches and he has an ambitious agenda. Though Daniels has been involved in politics for a few years he also has a degree in economics from the University of Manitoba.

"I think Canadians understand we are a partnership in nation-building," said Daniels to the Winnipeg Free Press. "...and obviously creating jobs is important. These are priorities the chiefs communicated to me when I went out to the communities and talked to them," he said.

This election result continues a generational shift which began with the electin of Derek Nepinak as the Grand Chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and was followed by the election of Grand Chief Sheila North Wilson of northern chiefs of the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak.

Votes were cast by the leaders of the 33 First Nations that make up the southern chiefs. Daniels will be in office for a three-year term.