Philippe Morin
Northern News Services
Monday, July 23, 2007

FORT MCPHERSON - Fort McPherson elected a new Tetlit Gwich'in Chief on July 9.

Wilbert Firth won with a 108-vote margin, in a two-person race with the community's outgoing Chief Johnny Kay.

The final vote was 222 to 114.

Firth said he wanted to make the office of Chief and the band office more accountable.

He also planned to campaign for more self-government in the hamlet, and look for ways to create jobs through the Gwich'in Development Corporation.

"We need more transparency," he said of the band office. "Under the claim, the organization is owned and controlled by the participants, the members.

"They (the former council) didn't really go to the people. People had concerns but they wouldn't listen to them," he said.

Firth also said as Chief he would take a more active role in the community, which he said struggles with social issues such as underage drinking and drug abuse.

Towards this goal, he pledged to work closely with hamlet and Gwich'in Tribal Council.

"We need to get all the organizations to work together again, work on the social issues, and create jobs using the (Gwich'in) Development Corp," he said.

When asked how a Chief could create more jobs, Firth said the community should exercise more control over local business, such as the Fort McPherson Tent and Canvas factory.

This is currently a government-funded project under the Gwich'in Development Corporation.

Firth also said he'd like to see the community's T'loondih Healing Camp used more often, and perhaps hire more staff.

The camp is used for educational trips by school children, and was originally conceived as a healing retreat for community residents.

"We'll probably appoint one of the councillors to take that portfolio, deal with it that way," Firth said of the camp.

He also said the band office would meet with T'loondih staff and Social Services and discuss ways to improve the programs.

"The council's got to be out there, showing their concern," he said.

Fort McPherson's mayor Rebecca Blake said she welcomed Firth's focus on social issues, and hoped the two councils would work together.

Firth was scheduled to take office as Chief July 16.

The six newly elected members of the Tetlit Gwich'in Council are Leslie P. Blake, Richard James Blake, Eleanor Firth, William George Firth, Elizabeth Vitrekwa and Edward Wright.