![stan_beardy-1 (1) NAN Grand Chief Beardy](http://netnewsledger.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/stan_beardy-1-1.jpg)
THUNDER BAY – Grand Chief Stan Beardy of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation has extended his congratulations to both the Conservatives and the New Democrats on their successes tonight.
Speaking to NNL, the Grand Chief said that while many of the issues that NAN seeks to see addressed were not at the top of the list for the Conservatives, it is his view that the New Democrats will carry the ball forward on many of them.
The Grand Chief will be seeking to ensure that issues of importance to NAN remain on the political radar.
In Kenora, Greg Rickford who was the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs has been re-elected. Rickford has 47% of the vote, and carries a strong mandate forward.
In Thunder Bay Superior North, with over 50% of the vote, Bruce Hyer will return to Ottawa.
In Thunder Bay Rainy River, John Rafferty has captured 49% of the vote and will return to Ottawa.
The margins of victory across the region for all three incumbents has become far stronger than in the last election. In all three ridings, the Liberals finished in third place.
First time Conservative candidate Maureen Comuzzi-Stehmann topped the ever popular former Liberal MP Ken Boshcoff. In Thunder Bay Superior North, Nipigon Mayor Richard Harvey topped Yves Fricot.