Rae-Edzo (July 12/04) - Rae-Edzo has elected Clifford Daniels as the new Chief several months after the death of Chief Eddie Paul Rabesca.

Daniels won with 321 votes, beating out candidates Rosa Mantla and Barb Zoe, who got 255 votes and 226 votes respectively.

Clifford Daniels beat out candidates Barb Zoe and Rosa Mantla in the July 8 election in Rae-Edzo. Daniels was elected Chief with 321 votes. - Daniel T'seleie/NNSL photo

The results of the election did not come as a surprise to at least one community resident.

"I expected him to win from day one," said Gary Football. "He's always been involved with the community."

Whether he expected to win or not, Daniels is pleased with the number of people who came out to vote.

"It was a big turn out, and that shows there are people out there who care," he said.

With experience as a sub-chief and a Band Councillor, Daniels may have had an edge over the other candidates, said Football.

"When it came down to the election it was pretty much who had the experience," he said.

The election is only the start though -- with self-government agreements and development going on around the North, Football insists Daniels has his work cut out for him.

"There's always things that need to be done here," he said.

Daniels said his first step in addressing the issues facing Rae-Edzo will be, "to sit down and see what (the people) want, what they expect of Chief and council."

Daniels said the Band Council is still developing policies, but investing in Rae-Edzo is important to him. "I believe in infrastructure for the community."

Resource-related pay-outs to band members is also an important issue in the community according to the Chief. A town meeting to discuss all the issues is one of his top priorities.

"To walk out of that meeting all thinking as one would be perfect," he said.