For a number of years, A-in-chut has been encouraged by Chiefs, Grand Chiefs, Elders and community members across the country to seek the position of National Chief. While remaining committed and focused on his work as BC Regional Chief and a member of the national executive, the voices of encouragement grew. To honour the increasing requests, A-in-chut first followed his protocol of conferring with immediate family and travelling home to Ahousaht to consult fellow Chiefs, Elders and community members. At a First Nations Summit meeting in the fall of 2008, a delegation of Nuu-chah-nulth stood up A-in-chut to confirm that he had completed his traditional protocol and now had their blessing to accept a nomination for the election of the Assembly of First Nations National Chief.

The question regarding A-in-chut’s willingness to accept a nomination was also raised at a Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs meeting in which A-in-chut explained that traditional protocol required him to go home to Ahousaht and Nuu-chah-nulth to first seek their blessing and support. The Ha-Shilth-Sa, the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council newspaper publically reported that A-in-chut was prepared to accept a nomination for leadership of the Assembly of First Nations. This was later confirmed in a Globe and Mail interview on November 21, 2008.

Following the completion of protocol at home, A-in-chut continued engaging in conversations with First Nations across the country to listen to the views, interests and vision of First Nation leaders. These conversations have shaped a vision and a platform of action for the future.