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LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
After five years away from the position, Herb Norwegian is back as grand chief of the Dehcho First Nations.

After being elected on June 26 Herb Norwegian is set to serve another three-year term as grand chief of the Dehcho First Nations. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

Leaders and delegates at Dehcho First Nations' annual assembly in Fort Simpson elected Norwegian on June 26 through a ballot vote. There were three candidates for the position, Norwegian, Jerry Antoine and incumbent Samuel Gargan.

Gargan was eliminated from the running during the first round after receiving the fewest votes. Norwegian was elected in the second round of voting.

Norwegian, however, wasn't present during the voting process. He said he doesn't like to hang around elections so he had returned home to do yard work while awaiting the results. His daughter arrived later to tell him the news.

"It was just sunlight from then on in," he said.

Norwegian was last elected as grand chief in June 2003. He was then acclaimed to another three-year term in July 2006.

In January 2008 with approximately 18 months left on his term, delegates at a special assembly voted to remove Norwegian from his position. Questions about Norwegian's leadership started after he was charged with assault, pleaded guilty to the charge and was convicted.

Norwegian said, at the time, he was told by the leadership that after five years he should be ready to return to a leadership role. Norwegian also said that some Deh Cho residents approached him and suggested that he run in this election.

Norwegian said he saw that people desperately needed someone to out line the Dehcho First Nations' positions and to protect the land and make sure all elements of Deh Cho life are being taken care of. Norwegian said he is still well informed about what is going on in the region.

In the intervening years since he was last grand chief, Norwegian worked as a consultant with Dehcho First Nations on negotiations, lands and resources. He also gave talks to groups across Canada about the Dehcho Process.

Since last fall, he held the position of vice-chair for the Dehcho Land Use Planning Committee.

During his time away, Norwegian also followed a more traditional lifestyle, hunting, trapping and fishing, and keeping trails open to the Horn Plateau.

While some issues have moved forward, many are at a standstill including the Dehcho Process, Dehcho Land Use Plan and devolution, said Norwegian. Norwegian said one of his primary goals as grand chief will be to move the Dehcho Process forward. To achieve his goal, Norwegian plans to tour the Deh Cho communities to hear residents' concerns and reinvigorate them about the process.

Throughout his term in office, Norwegian said he hopes to get into the communities, be visible and listen to residents.

"It'll do my best to take care of their interests," he said.

Norwegian said that he's thankful for the support of all the elders and delegates who voted for him at the assembly, as well as all of the community members who weren't present but supported him.

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