Derek Neary
Northern News Services

NNSL (Feb 12/99) - Tim Lennie was elected chief in Wrigley Thursday and he said he's prepared to provide the community with guidance.

"I feel very strongly that our people here need some leadership," he said Tuesday. "I've been asked numerous times since I've stepped down to get back in."

His last term ended in May, 1998, when he resigned due to a battle with addictions, something he's been outspoken about.

"I had things to deal with personally. There was a lot of healing going on," he said. "Like I said, I believe it's not done until you work on it a day at a time."

Lennie, who has been in and out of office since 1986, garnered 42 votes to David Moses' eight in Thursday's election. He is to serve a three-year term.

Mary Alice Christopher, just elected in December, was recently relieved of her duties. There was no official comment from the Pehdzeh Ki First Nation on why her term as chief ended so abruptly.

Among Lennie's top priorities will be employment and the social conditions in Wrigley, he said.

"There are many issues that are facing us. I guess that being able to deal with all these issues over the years, people felt confident that I was able to do the job because of the knowledge I have," he said. "One of the arguments they have is, 'You can't start over.'"

With three elections for chief being held since November, there's been much political upheaval in the community lately, Lennie acknowledged.

"The people have made their choice. So be it if they've had three elections, but if they feel that they needed it, that's what they got," he said. "Hopefully things are behind us and we're looking forward now. People are feeling quite confident and positive these days, the last couple of days anyway."