Chris Hunsley
Northern News Services

Arctic Red River (June 27/05) - Tsiigehtchic voters returned Peter Ross for a sixth term as chief Monday.

"I think the people have faith in me; their support was there and I'm glad it turned out the way it did," said Ross, who has held the position for nine years.

Tsiigehtchic election results, (E) - elected: Mayor: Peter Ross29 (E) Julie Ann Andre20 Russel Andre 17 Tsiigehtchic Charter Community: Albert Ross 35 (E) Marina Norbert 29 (E) George Niditchie Jr. 29 Rita Carpenter 25 Tanya Andre 23 John Firth 19 Gwichya Gwich'in Band: Louise Lennie 63 (E) Alestine Andre 56 (E) Doug Kendo 50 (E) Phillip Blake 43 (E) John Norbert 41 (E) Archie Norbert40 (E) Lawrence Andre 35 Julie Ann Andre 34 Fred Andre 30

Ross took more than 35 per cent of the total vote to squeeze out Julie Ann Andre and Russel Andre for the win.

Eighty-two of the 112 eligible voters cast a ballot, bringing the turnout to 72 per cent.

"That was a really high turnout, even better than voting for the MLAs," said Anna May McLeod, returning officer.

For Ross, his re-election will be a chance to continue some of the projects he's started such as the community's soon-to-be-constructed ice rink.

Work together

"We're going to continue to work together for the benefit of future generations," he said.

Terms of office for the Gwichya Gwich'in Band and Tsiigehtchic Charter Community were increased to three years from two.

"That's a good decision," said Ross. "Two years is not long enough, you're just getting started."

One moment of true election excitement occurred when charter council candidates George Niditchie Jr. and Martina Norbert tied with 29 votes for the last seat.

"We did the same as in the past and put names in an RCMP hat and drew Norbert as the winner," said McLeod.

Although the method was unorthodox, Niditchie Jr. took the news graciously.

"I'm okay with the decision," he said.

"It was a good close election an the people of the community are happy with what they got."

The election was not without controversy as six Metis voters were prevented from casting ballots.

Scott Carle, senior administrative officer, said the Department of Indian and Indian and Northern Affairs removed the six from the voters list after they opted for Metis status.

"It has absolutely nothing to do with the community; this is a choice these people made," Carle said.