Paul Bickford
Northern News Services
Monday, February 12, 2007

FORT RESOLUTION - Deninu K'ue First Nation has a new chief.

Bill Norn was elected the Fort Resolution band's leader on Feb. 6.

Norn received 74 votes, compared to 65 for Wilfred Simon and 15 for Georgina Biscaye.

Chief Robert Sayine, who is still leader until Norn is sworn in early this week after a five-day appeal period, did not seek re-election.

Instead, Sayine ran for council, and was the top vote-getter in a field of 11 candidates.

Raymond Simon was re-elected to council, along with newcomer Philip Beaulieu.

The new chief and councillors have been elected to four-year terms.

Of the 549 eligible voters in the band, 154 cast ballots. That was a 28 per cent voter turnout.

Numerous attempts to reach Norn for comment on his election win were unsuccessful.

As for the outgoing chief, Sayine decided not to seek re-election so he could spend more time with his family.

"I've been chief a long time," he said. "I needed a break."

Sayine, 63, has been chief since 2001, and previously served in the position from 1978-80 and 1982-89.

"Being a chief is very stressful and time-consuming," he said. "It's not a nine-to-five job."

In fact, he noted he has been involved in band and community affairs in one form or another since the 1960s, including representing the community for a time in the legislative assembly.