by Arthur Milnes
Northern News Services

WRIGLEY (Nov 07/97) - Citing verbal abuse against his family and the need for sober leadership, a veteran Deh Cho region chief has tendered a surprise resignation.

Tim Lennie, who has served as chief of the Pehdzeh Ki First Nation in Wrigley since 1986, stepped down from his post last week with more than a year left in his term.

"Myself and my wife Sarah have made every effort to support (Pehdzeh Ki) members to do better for themselves, but when members start verbally abusing my family, I have no alternative but to react," he said in a resignation letter released Monday.

"This has been happening for too long and I can no longer tolerate this type of action towards people, especially my family."

On Oct. 31, his last day in office, Lennie said that his own substance abuse and a feeling that more community involvement was needed in issues affecting Wrigley were also involved in his decision to resign.

"We need sober leadership," he said frankly. "I don't think I should be talking about these issues (sobriety) if I'm still using (drugs)."

He said that recent sobriety calls by the Deh Cho First Nations leadership and elders have been difficult for him. However, he says he supports them nonetheless.

Lennie also said he has increasingly felt that not enough members of his community have been participating and providing input to his council.

"We're realizing that members are questioning our ideas," he said. "But if they don't come out to meetings, what can we do?"

As to the future, Lennie said that he will continue to help the new chief and council and remain active in politics.

"I'm not gone yet," he said.

In his resignation letter, Lennie said he believes he'll be better able to serve Wrigley if he were a band councillor.

"If there ever is a by-election held for a council position," he wrote, "I'll be putting my name forward."

An election for his former job will be held within two weeks, Lennie said. Until then, Sally Yendo-Neyelle will serve as acting chief.