Snowdrift (Apr 04/05) - The Lutsel K'e Dene Band has once again set an election day - this time April 13 - to choose a new chief.

An election had been called twice before, on Feb. 24 and again on March 24.

The first vote was cancelled when only one candidate qualified under the band's election code, and the latter by the death of a respected elder. The election became necessary following Archie Catholique's disputed ouster as chief - along with his council - by a membership vote in early February. A new council was elected Feb. 24.

Catholique, who has refused to accept his dismissal and suggested he might take the issue to court, was out of the community last week and unavailable for comment.

Nominations opened March 30 for the election, but no one had stepped forward as of late last week.

That doesn't surprise acting band manager Ray Griffith.

"It is normally within the last two or three days that people file nomination papers."

Nominations close April 12, and an all-candidates meeting will be held that evening.

A special assembly is set for April 5 to discuss proposed election code changes.

Some Lutsel K'e residents want to eliminate a two-year sobriety requirement before a person can run for chief. Some feel the rule is too restrictive and undemocratic, and limits the number of candidates.

Talk about the election and the special assembly has declined somewhat in the community, Griffith says. "People are pretty much petered out over it, but I think that's a temporary lull."

The acting band manager notes a quorum of at least 50 people - out of a population of 400 - is needed for the special assembly to make changes to the election code in time for the upcoming election.