Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Jean Marie River (Oct 18/02) - Nearly two weeks after splitting the vote, Fred Norwegian was named chief of the Tthek'ehdeli First Nation on Friday.

Fellow candidate Isadore Simon did not want to give up his job with the NWT Power Corporation so he withdrew from contention.

Fred Norwegian, who is resigning as band manager for the Tthek'ehdeli First Nation, was chosen as Jean Marie River's chief on Friday. Fellow candidate Isadore Simon declined to give up his job with the NWT Power Corporation. - NNSL file photo

The newly elected band council felt the chief's position is full-time, and is paid accordingly. Norwegian was willing to resign as band manager, so he has therefore succeeded Stanley Sanguez as chief.

Norwegian said, with guidance from his council, one of his top priorities will be to restore local leadership.

"I felt that with the chief constantly travelling, and personal problems, we didn't have local leadership," he said.

Also on the agenda will be training for councillors on understanding their roles and how to work together. As well, Norwegian said, he wants to establish good working relationships with governments and other organizations.

The community's log mill will take a back burner until council training has been completed, he added.

"I'm looking for a strong council who can participate, discuss and make decisions collectively," he said.

"I'm not going to be making decisions for the community by myself."

Having been band manager for close to five years, Norwegian said he is very familiar with the band's affairs. However, he will have to brush up on the Deh Cho Process, he admitted.

The first chief and council meeting is scheduled for today (Thursday).

Norwegian served as chief of the Liidlii Kue First Nation for nine months in the early 1970s. Jean Marie River was still a sub-band to the LKFN at that time.