Lutsel K'e elects new chief
Archie Catholique emerges victorious from large field of six candidates
Paul Bickford
Northern News Services
Published Monday, March 17, 2014
LUTSEL K'E/SNOWDRIFT
A new chief has been elected for Lutsel K'e Dene First Nation.
In a vote on March 14, former chief Archie Catholique won the leadership over five other candidates, with a mere three votes over Felix Lockhart - 63 to 60.
Lutsel k'e chief election results:
- Archie Catholique: 63
- Felix Lockhart: 60
- Steven Nitah: 54
- George Marlowe: 20
- Stan Desjarlais: 18
- Antoine Michel: 16
Source: Electoral officer Graeme Drew
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The six candidates included four former chiefs - Catholique; Steven Nitah, who is also a former MLA for Tu Nedhe; Antoine Michel; and Felix Lockhart of Yellowknife. The other candidates were Coun. George Marlowe and Stan Desjarlais of Yellowknife.
The new chief has been elected for three years.
The unsuccessful candidates have five days from the date of the election to file any concerns they might have about the process.
Outgoing Chief Dora Enzoe served two years in the position and decided not to seek re-election.
Electoral officer Graeme Drew, who is also the First Nation's senior administrative officer and band manager, was pleased with the number of candidates for chief.
"There certainly are a lot of complex issues that are facing the community right now, a lot of important decisions that are being discussed, and there are probably a lot of people that feel they have certain positions they want to take and try to move the band towards in the future," he said. "I would expect that's got something to do with it."
Drew noted some of the major issues are the impact of devolution, a proposed national park on the East Arm of Great Slave Lake, and pending negotiations with mining companies for developments in the area.
The vote for chief will be followed by an election for a whole new council on April 11.
The nomination period for the six seats opened after the election for chief.
In late January, members of Lutsel K'e Dene First Nation ratified a new election code, which changes the terms of office for the chief and councillors.
"It was a fairly lengthy process to update the election code and we're very pleased that it was ratified by members on Jan. 31, and we made a few changes in that," said Drew. "One of them was to stagger the terms so that in the next round of elections there won't be six available seats. It's better for succession planning and transition to avoid a whole new inexperienced council."
In the April 11 election for council, the three candidates with the most votes will be elected for three years, while the candidates placing fourth, fifth and sixth will get a two-year term.
"So the election would take place in 2016 and that would kick in to a three-year term, so that after that time you basically have no more than three seats coming available at any one time," Drew explained.
The election in April will be the only time that councillors will be chosen for two-year terms. Drew is pleased with the new election code, noting it is just six pages long and very clear.
The electoral officer also noted it is unusual for him to serve in that position while also being senior administrative officer and band manager.
"The reason that I was appointed was partially because of my knowledge of the election code and all of that stuff," he said. "But it was also the fact that I'm actually wrapping up my term with Lutsel K'e at the end of the month."
Drew said, since he is on his way out, there will be no conflict.
- with files from Candace Thomson
