Fort Smith (Nov 01/04) - A new council was elected Oct. 27 for the Smith's Landing First Nation.

The winning candidates were incumbents Fred Daniels with 33 votes, Peter Paulette with 29 votes, Magloire A. Paulette with 32 votes and Gabe Sepp, who topped the poll with 38 votes.

Chief Jerry Paulette was returned by acclamation.

Daniels, a former chief, says he thinks it's a good council.

"They have all been there before," he says, noting Magloire Paulette is a former chief and Sepp has served on council on and off for 30 years.

Daniels says he's sure the new council has the ability to deal with band issues, such as implementing its treaty land entitlement agreement.

In all, eight people let their names stand for the election.

The unsuccessful candidates were Lawrence Cheezie, Archie Paulette, Karen Perry and incumbent Darcy Greer Cheezie.

The election was held in Fort Fitzgerald, Alta., about 20km south of Fort Smith.

Only 57 of 250 eligible voters actually cast a ballot.

Daniels says he is not sure why there was such a low turn-out but it may have been because the vote was held in Fort Fitzgerald.

The band offered rides to the voting station for band members in Fort Smith.

Although SLFN has its reserve land in Alberta, many of the approximately 300 members live in Fort Smith.