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Tsiigehtchic chooses a new chief
Longtime councillor Phillip Blake beats out incumbent and cousin Frederick Blake Jr. for the roleNathalie Heiberg-Harrison Northern News Services Published Friday, June 24, 2011
Longtime councillor Phillip Blake won chief, beating out his cousin and two-term incumbent Frederick Blake Jr. by a margin of 78 to 48. In 2009, Phillip Blake lost to his cousin by a margin of 41 to 34. "I believe the people want to see change," Phillip Blake said. "Through the outcome of the election, they are saying they want change." The new chief credits his win to both hard work and his past experience as councillor in the community. He said his first goal on the job is to create more support systems for children in the community. "I want to work on education, build the capacity in the education system for our children," he said. In addition, he said he will work to address housing shortages and find a permanent nurse for Tsiigehtchic. "Not just spring and fall, but 24/7 in the community," he said. John Norbert and Charlene Blake won the two charter community council seats with 38 and 33 votes. Three band councillors – Charlene Blake, Douglas Kendo, Carolyn Lennie – all won their seats by acclamation. Phillip Blake also won a counicllor's seat but will vacate it for the chief's chair, leaving two councillor seats open. The new chief said he will either fill the vacanices by appointment or a byelection, although he hasn't decided which yet. Charlene Blake, who has served on both councils for the past two years, said her main objective is to work to create more jobs in Tsiigehtchic, and to see that a new band office and staff house is built. "I want to work together with the whole council," she said. David Kravitz, chief municipal electoral officer for the NWT, said voter turnout in the community was high. "In my experience with Tsiigehtchic elections, this is a good turnout," he said. Charter community elections are held every year in Tsiigehtchic, while band and chief elections are held every two years. Although the charter community and band are two legally separate organizations, the chief is automatically head of both councils and their administration is combined. The new chief and council will be sworn in July 4.
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