Paul Bickford
Northern News Services

Fort Smith (Nov 04/02) - After a two-year absence, Jerry Paulette is back as chief of Smith's Landing First Nation.

Paulette was elected over two other candidates for chief in elections held Oct. 28.

The 37-year-old had been chief of the Fort Smith area band for 13 years up to late 2000.

The new chief received 57 votes, compared to 21 for Christine Beaulieu and 18 for John MacDonald.

The new council consists of Tony Vermillion, who topped the polls with 61 votes; outgoing chief Fred Daniels (53 votes); Darcy Greer (44) and Peter Paulette (40).

Paulette says he is happy to be back as chief.

However, he says, "I wasn't too sure of the outcome."

Noting the two other candidates for chief campaigned hard, Paulette says it is not his style to campaign and make promises. "Once you get elected, it is hard to live up to promises."

He also believes the will of the people can be expressed without campaigns.

"Traditionally, people who run for leadership positions don't campaign," he says, although he adds that is beginning to change.

Paulette, who was just 22 when he first became chief, says his two-year absence from leadership gave him time to reflect on where the band is and what needs to be done.

And he says he decided to seek the leadership again because he figured he had unfinished business.

His objectives include constitutional and governance changes, and a more formal election code.

"Basically, the foundation has to be in place to create fairness and opportunity," he says.

Another of his goals is to solidify the community plan and implement the treaty land entitlement agreement, signed in May 2000.

That will involve more development at Fort Fitzgerald, Alta., and emphasis on traditional lands and economic opportunity, he says.

"I think we want to create a plan that is more community oriented."

Paulette says he will also be seeking direction from the band membership in the immediate future.

Smith's Landing First Nation has approximately 300 members.