Paul Bickford
Northern News Services

Rae-Edzo (Sep 05/05) - George Mackenzie of Rae-Edzo has claimed an overwhelming victory, taking more than 50 per cent of the vote in last Thursday's election for grand chief of the new Tlicho government.

Mackenzie beat out the three other candidates with 744 votes out of the 1,387 ballots cast.

While somewhat shocked by the extent of his victory, he said, "I'm not really surprised by the win."

The newly-elected grand chief felt there was strong support for him in all four Dogrib communities. He said he is proud to be given the responsibility of leadership, noting he has some experience as a former band councillor in Rae-Edzo. "I know I will be taking on a big responsibility," he said. "I will be the spokesperson for the whole Tlicho Nation."

Mackenzie said he will have big shoes to fill replacing former Grand Chief Joe Rabesca, whom he described as a true leader.

Rabesca has offered to help with advice, he added. "That gives me great comfort."

Mackenzie will resign as president of Behcho Ko Development Corporation sometime this week.

The Tlicho Nation communities - Rae-Edzo, Whati, Wekweti and Gameti - number roughly 3,000 people over 39,000 square km of land.

The Tlicho are only the second aboriginal group in Canada to obtain a settled land claim and self-government agreement.

Mackenzie said among his first priorities will be to do learn the finer details of his government's budget and deal with social problems like youth violence and drug and alcohol abuse.

Last week was marred with news of three stabbings in Rae and a vicious assault on a woman.

"One of the goals we have to address immediately is the social problems in our communities and our region," he said.

Mackenzie listed a number of ways he hopes to combat the problems, through healing programs, alcohol and drug counselling, on-the-land experiences for youth, and more contact between elders and youth.

As for the recent violence in Rae-Edzo, he said, "Definitely, that's one of the main problems we're going to address, because there's a lot of abuse happening, mainly through drinking and drugs."

He also wants more trades training for young people to prepare them for supervisory and management positions in industry.

"So they will no longer be at the bottom of the barrel in the workplace."

Mackenzie declined to give his exact age, only saying he is in his 50s. He is married to Louise Crapeau Mackenzie and is the father of five grown children.

The new grand chief describes himself as a Dogrib traditionalist, who has often participated in on-the-land programs and cultural events.

For five years, he was vice-principal at Rae-Edzo's Chief Jimmy Bruneau school, which is named after his grandfather. He also taught for a year in Whati.

"I've worked with youth for almost 30 years," he said.

Mackenzie studied for two years at Aurora College's Teacher Education Program and for another four years at the University of Saskatchewan. He is only a credit and a half away from a Bachelor of Education degree.

The Grand Chief's position is elected for four years.

His closest rival in the Sept. 1 vote was Edward Erasmus with 268 votes, followed by Charlie Jim Nitsiza with 227 votes and Violet Camsell-Blondin with 134 votes. Fourteen ballots were rejected.