Yellowknife (June 18/03) - Peter Liske is the new chief of Dettah, winning over Jonas Sangris by 54 votes.

"I feel good. It's good to be back again. Its the mandate that people wanted," he said after Monday's election.

Out of 733 band members that are eligible to vote, only 310 cast ballots.

Liske's platform was based on four issues: land claims, a new community hall complex, relationships with mining and oil and gas companies and encouraging youth to participate in politics and the community.

"One of the first thing I want to get done is fast track the land claims. I want to listen to the others in Treaty 8 area and see if we can't fast track the whole process," he said.

Liske said that if necessary, he will ask for a special meeting with Robert Nault, the minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.

Liske has a busy month ahead of him.

He will likely call a special council meeting for Thursday to deal with outstanding issues.

After Aboriginal Day celebrations and an introductory BBQ, he will spend July travelling to various First Nation's assemblies, including the Dene Nation assembly in Aklavik and the First Nations assembly in Edmonton.