THEBACHA/FORT SMITH - For the third time in a little more than two years, Frieda Martselos has been elected chief of Fort Smith-based Salt River First Nation.

On June 29, Martselos garnered 180 votes, compared to 157 for Dave Poitras.

For the third time in two years, Frieda Martselos has been elected chief of Salt River First Nation. - NNSL file photo

Three seats were also filled on band council.

The winners are Frederick Beaulieu, Brad Laviolette and Gloria Villebrun out of a field of six candidates.

In August of last year, Martselos was re-elected chief by defeating Poitras.

However, an arbitrator overturned the elections of Martselos and three councillors – Villebrun, Laviolette and Beaulieu.

The arbitrator ruled Martselos, while supported by the three successful candidates for councillors, unduly influenced the results of the 2008 election.

Martselos was first elected chief in a by-election in April of 2007. Band council ousted her just a week later, but she was reinstated by a court in early 2008.

In May, the Federal Court of Canada appointed a receiver/manager for the band until after the latest election.