Hay River Reserve (Jun 12/06) - The June 26 chief election for K'atlodeeche First Nation is a re-match of the top two finishers from two years ago.

Chief Roy Fabian is seeking re-election and Councillor Alec Sunrise is running for top spot again, after losing by just two votes in 2004 in a three-person race.

Six council members will also be chosen for three-year terms.

Fabian, 54, says in his four years as chief this time around - he was also chief from 1988-90 - the band focused on realigning administration and its businesses.

"Now I think from here on the focus is going to be about community development," he says, adding that will especially mean more programs and services for youth.

The chief also points to social gains, such as 18 new and five renovated houses.

"I've improved things a great deal," he says. "I've got nothing to be ashamed of. I've done a damn good job."

As for why he decided to seek re-election, Fabian says there are still issues facing the band, such as treaty land entitlement negotiations and the Dehcho Process.

"There are going to be some real soul-searching issues for us to deal with," he says.

Fabian says the KFN may have to take control over eductaion due to what he calls the failure of "English education."

"There have been some successes in English education, but by and large it's been a failure for our people," he says.

However, he says the biggest issue facing the reserve is still problems caused by alcohol and drugs.

"Somehow we need to address that issue," he says, noting people have to concentrate on parenting and all adults have to become role models for youth.

One issue that has come up is the amount of travelling Fabian does on band business.

"If people are making it an issue, it's an issue," he says, adding he will have to respond by spending less time away from the reserve.

Sunrise, 52, says he is running for the same reason he ran two years ago.

"Once again, it's community members who approached me to run and put my name in," he says.

Sunrise, who was elected to the band council in a by-election, also served on council in the 1980s and 1990s.

His top issues are treaty land entitlement, the Mackenzie Valley pipeline, opportunities for youth, education and housing.

"There are a lot of ongoing things that we have been working on for some time," he says.

Sunrise thinks band members want a different style of leadership.

"We need someone there with a community focus," he says, adding that includes better communication between the leadership and the people.

Sunrise declined to criticize Fabian, other than to say, "Sometimes we don't think the same way."

The challenger adds he would be a leader who can make a positive difference by building on the foundation of the past.

"I'm not running because I'm running against Roy," he says. "I'm running because people are asking me to run."

Sunrise declined to make any predictions for the coming election.

However, he notes, "I feel a sense of change."