The 64-year-old national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, Phil Fontaine, announced today (June 4) that he won't seek reelection.

This clears the way for the B.C. regional AFN chief, Shawn A-in-chut Atleo, to succeed him in an election that will take place in Calgary next month. The winner will be announced on July 22.

Atleo is in a four-man race, but he's in a good position to win because B.C. has approximately one-third of the votes by virtue of the number of different First Nations across the province.

As the regional chief in B.C., Atleo has worked on several high-profile issues, including the Kelowna Accord, the "New Relationship" with the B.C. Liberal government, and helping to bring about reconciliation between the First Nations Summit and the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, which resulted in a landmark accord with the provincial government on child-welfare issues.

Atleo is remarkably popular across the province and since being elected as regional chief in 2003, he has  worked closely with Fontaine on international issues involving indigenous people. One aboriginal journalist told me today that he expects Atleo to win every vote from B.C.

The other candidates are John Beaucage, grand chief of the Union of Ontario Indians; Perry Bellegarde, former assembly vice-chief for Saskatchewan; and  Terrance Nelson, chief of Roseau River First Nation in Manitoba.

Atleo is a hereditary chief of the Ahousaht First Nation on western Vancouver Island. It's part of the Nuu'chah'nulth Tribal Council. He's also chancellor of Vancouver Island University.

If he wins the election, he'll be the first national chief from B.C. since George Manuel, who  held the position from 1970 to 1976.