Kevin Allerston
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (June 29/05) - Fred Sangris and his family were sitting at home, relaxed, when the phone rang: "Hey chief, you want to come over?" a voice asked.

With that, the relaxation was replaced by cheers for Sangris, the new Ndilo Chief of the Yellowknives Dene.

At almost the same time a cheer rose up from the Ndilo school gymnasium acting as election central as the returning officer announced Sangris had won the spot with 95 votes, edging out Ted Tsetta, who got 80 votes.

Shirley Tsetta and Philip Liske also ran.

"To me it means four years of hard work," Sangris said after returning to the polling station at the Ndilo gym about 9:10 last night.

"I think a lot of walking around and talking to people did it," Sangris said. The same issues kept popping up in those conversations: getting land settlements completed, social problems, and housing.

"I've been involved with this leadership for a long time, so I have a variety of knowledge with the government and First Nations on how we can get these problems solved," Sangris said.

"The main issues are not very hard for me, but I've never had the authority to make moves on trying to meet the needs of the people," Sangris said. "But now I'm in a very good position and can do a lot now. I can deliver."

Sangris is looking for help, too. "It's a lot of work in the four years, but together we can do a lot for our community," Sangris said of his fellow candidates as people came by, shaking his hand in congratulations.

One of the people Sangris will be working closely with is Dettah Chief Peter Liske.

Liske was among the first to congratulate Sangris on his victory. "I've always worked with Fred, and he already knows the system. We'll get things rolling," Liske said.