Dwight Sawan, and Larry Ominayak. Since the 1980s, the Government of Canada has capitalised on divisions and dissent within the Nation and has recognised groups of dissenting Lubicons as new First Nations, such as the Woodland Cree First Nation and the Loon River Cree Nation. More recent attempts include attempts by Billy Joe Laboucan to create the Little Buffalo Cree Band in 1999 and 2004 following a failed election bid to lead the Lubicon Lake Nation. Steven Noskey led a similar dissenting council created in 2009. The Lubicon Lake Nation Council continued to be led by Chief Bernard Ominayak, who was unanimously re-elected and asked to hold the position "Chief for Life" by motion of the entire Lubicon membership in attendance; Ominayak refused. On the week of July 23, 2012, Noskey notified the Canadian government that he was stepping down, leaving Ominayak as the sole chief for the nation. This leadership resolution was ratified in writing by the majority of Lubicon citizens. In 2015, the Lubicon Lake Nation Government held a by-election to fill the vacant seat left by long-time Councillor Alphonse Ominayak, who had died unexpectedly. Ominayak is remembered for his tireless work to protect Lubicon land, environment, and way of life in the face of massive oil and gas development. Ominayak additionally contributed greatly to the international human and indigenous rights work started by Chief Bernard Ominayak at the United Nations Human Rights Committee. In the December 3, 2015 by-election, Cynthia Tomlinson became the first woman elected to the Government of the Lubicon Lake Nation Council. Tomlinson previously served as head of the Lubicon Lake Nation Youth Council and Lands & Negotiations Advisor to the Chief & Council. Tomlinson carries a bachelor's degree in Native American Studies from the University of Lethbridge. She is also an experienced public speaker on Indigenous rights and Indigenous legal orders, whose list of accomplishments include presenting at such institutions as the McGill Centre for Human Rights & Legal Pluralism and the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law. References External links Official Lubicon Lake Band Homepage Official Lubicon Lake Nation Homepage Friends of the Lubicon Outaouais Lubicon Solidarity The Lubicon Archive Amnesty International report International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights Lubicon Rally for National Day of Action Documentary: A Fight Against Time (1995) Ed Bianchi Cree governments First Nations governments in Alberta