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Tlicho government chooses new leader
Unknown if grand chief Rabesca will return
Paul Bickford Northern News Services Published Friday, October 22, 2010
Gameti elder Alphonse Apples has been appointed acting grand chief, taking over for grand chief Joe Rabesca, the Tlicho government announced Oct. 21 after closed-door meetings. Rabesca had asked the assembly for three months off after he missed one assembly meeting in Whati and walked out of another in Behchoko earlier this month. He said he felt he wasn't receiving enough support as chief and needed a break. The Tlicho then had to decide whether they would allow him a temporary vacation or fire him and find a permanent replacement. Tlicho government spokesperson Richard Makohoniuk said the assembly isn't yet prepared to say whether Rabesca is welcome to come back as chief. "We can't confirm or deny that," Makohoniuk said when asked if Rabesca was on temporary leave. He wouldn't comment on whether Rabesca will continue to get paid. "We've just appointed an acting chief so we can hold meetings," he said, explaining meetings of the assembly in Behchoko were scheduled through last week and that more information would become available when they concluded. "Meetings are ongoing right now in the assembly session, so no decision has been reached just yet, and if one has, it hasn't been announced publicly," Makohoniuk said on Thursday afternoon. "What we'd like to do is celebrate the fact that we do have a grand chief, we are moving forward and future decisions will be made regarding previous grand chiefs." Alphonse Apples, who was re-elected during last year's election to serve his home community of Gameti, has been a member of the Tlicho assembly since it began five years ago. Apples, who ran a traditional on-the-land rehabilitation camp for inmates at Faber Lake, is well-respected within the community.
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