Paul Bickford
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Jan 16/06) - New elections for Lutsel K'e Dene First Nation will likely be held within the next couple of weeks.

"We're probably looking at the first week in February for a new chief and council," said Edmund Gus, the band manager and senior administrative officer. Gus said new elections will help heal the community's political uncertainty. Former chief Archie Catholique and his council were ousted in early 2005.

A new council was elected, while a sub-chief has since served as acting chief. Catholique challenged his removal in court.

In late October, the Federal Court of Canada ruled his dismissal followed the custom of the First Nation.

"The whole community is anxious to have this election and have recognized leadership in place," Gus said.

He says that a new vote will eliminate any lingering confusion.

"That's when the healing can begin," he added.

Gus explained two steps have to occur before an election is held. First, a membership workshop is set for Jan. 17 to discuss proposed changes to the band's custom election code.

"It's simply a matter of updating the code to keep up with the wishes of the community," Gus said.

He declined to discuss the changes that will be recommended to the membership. Gus said it would be inappropriate until they have a chance to discuss the proposals. The day after the workshop, Jan. 18, a special assembly will be asked to ratify the changes to the code and set an election day. If the election code changes are approved, an election would be held within 14 days.