Theresa Spence reelected

Theresa Spence re-elected chief in Attawapiskat

Spence's 2012 hunger strike was criticized by other candidatesTheresa Spence, who went on a six-week hunger strike last winter in an effort to persuade the federal government to take aboriginal concerns seriously, has been re-elected to a second three-year term as chief of the Attawapiskat First Nation in northern Ontario.

The final vote count is expected to be made public on Wednesday.

Her liquid diet last winter made her a household name, but it also put her at the centre of criticism in the election.And:Attawapiskat’s financial troubles were also highlighted after Spence's public campaign to raise awareness about her reserve’s housing and health crisis.

The reserve has received $90 million in federal funding since 2005 and the federal government hired Deloitte to conduct an audit in 2011 to find out how that money was spent.

The audit revealed a "serious problem” in the reserve’s financial records, as only about 20 per cent of the transactions were properly documented.

Spence’s supporters said, however, that the reserve’s accounting practices have improved since she became chief, as the transactions that have no issues went from 15 per cent to 33 per cent after she took over.Comment:  I guess Attawapiskat voters weren't too unhappy with her hunger strike or financial troubles.

For more on Attawapiskat, see Natives Subsidize Canada, Not Vice Versa and Online Hatred Against First Nations.