Snowdrift (Mar 20/06) - Members of the Lutsel K'e First Nation (LKFN) have made it crystal clear who they want for their new chief.

Adeline (Addie) Jonasson was elected in a landslide over two competitors during a March 16 vote, which included the election of a new council.

"The community has put their trust in me and the new council," Jonasson says. "The community is wanting positive changes."

She garnered 136 votes, compared to 48 for Archie Catholique, a former chief who was removed from office by the membership early last year. A third candidate, George Marlowe, received 12 votes. Twelve ballots were spoiled.

Six new councillors were elected from a field of 12 candidates. The winners are Charlie Catholique, Teri Enzoe, Susan Catling, Gilbert Abel, Lawrence Catholique and Patty Lockhart.

Jonasson and her council will serve two-year terms in office.

The new chief says she is pleased with her win, but didn't expect the overwhelming support.

She says she is looking forward to helping bring change to the community. "I'm really excited to be part of that."

As for what those changes might be and what her plans are, she says that will be worked out in consultation with the council and the community as a whole.

Jonasson notes there has been too much division in the community in the past.

Political uncertainty has existed since Archie Catholique was removed as chief. Catholique challenged his removal in court, but lost.

The band has had an acting chief for the past year.

Jonasson, 57, has been a councillor for a year, and also previously served on council. She had never before sought election as chief.

Born and raised in Lutsel K'e, she lived in the south for 22 years before returning to the community 14 years ago.

Jonasson is a community social services worker in Lutsel K'e with the Yellowknife Health and Social Services Authority. She will be seeking a leave of absence from that job to assume the duties of chief.

Band manager Edmund Gus is very pleased with how the election was run, noting it was transparent and fair.

The First Nation reached out to members at diamond mines, educational institutions and elsewhere, asking them to vote by mail-in ballots. Along with Lutsel K'e, polls were set up in Yellowknife, Fort Smith and Fort Resolution.

The band even had non-members act as clerks and other election officials.

"There's no way anyone can complain about anything," Gus says.

Of the 446 people on the voting list, 208 cast ballots.

"That's not bad," Gus says. "People were saying that's a real good turnout."

The band manager also sought volunteers and donated space when possible to reduce the expense of running the election. That cut the cost down to an estimated $2,000.