Kakisa (Jul 03/06) - Deh Cho First Nations will be under the leadership of Herb Norwegian for another three years.

Norwegian was acclaimed as Grand Chief on June 29 at the Dehcho Assembly in Kakisa. He was the only person to submit an application by the June 5 nominations deadline.

Grand Chief Herb Norwegian, left, receives a necklace reserved for chiefs from Chief Will Mayo of Tanana, Alaska just hours before being acclaimed as the leader of the Dehcho First Nations. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

"I feel great," said Norwegian about the decision.

"It was something we sort of expected, but we still had to go through the formality."

Now that he's been reelected, Norwegian said the first order of business is the Dehcho process. There might be a special assembly in the fall to present a counter offer to Canada, he said.

Work on the Dehcho process is intertwined with decisions concerning the Mackenzie Valley pipeline. The Dehcho First Nations have to give consent in order for the pipeline to be built and the process will outline what consent entails, said Norwegian.

The need for continuity in leadership to deal with current issues such as the pipeline and the Dehcho process was one of the main factors that a number of chiefs raised while discussing the election choices.

"We should have some consistency and if he wants the gruelling task of being the grand chief for the next three years more power to him and the people of the Deh Cho," said Chief Eric Betsaka of the Nahanni Butte Dene Band.

President Albert Lafferty of the Fort Providence Metis Council agreed.

"Herbie knows what needs to be done. There is a big job ahead of us and he is familiar with the issues," said Lafferty.

But even with unanimous support for his acclimation, Norwegian might not have as much free reign.

A number of leaders would like to see a change in the way the grand chief operates.

The grand chief should be concentrating on the Dehcho process, said Chief Keyna Norwegian of the Liidlii Kue First Nation from Fort Simpson during the election discussion.

The grand chief currently spends too much time on various committees, she contended.

"I think as leaders we need control back," said Norwegian.

Norwegian suggested that the chiefs and leaders set terms of reference and priorities for the next three years.

Chief Karen Felker of the West Point First Nation in Hay River had similar concerns.

"We should start taking him aside and keeping him closer to home," said Felker.

In three years being elected might not be as easy.

The assembly passed a resolution to create an elections' committee that will work to clarify and codify the elections procedures. The move followed comments made by the three members of the committee that was established in March for this year's election.

It takes more than a small committee and a few months to set criteria, said Richard Lafferty from the Fort Providence Metis Council who was one of the committee members.

Chief Keyna Norwegian reminded the assembly that she would like to see a ballot election.

"If we are capable of holding our own elections why can't we hold a grand chief election," Norwegian asked.

Everyone should have a chance to vote and we shouldn't wait until the eleventh hour again, she said.

Creating guidelines will not be easy, said Jonas Antoine who was also on the committee.

"It will take years to come up with something we are all happy with," Antoine said.