Wrigley (July 14/06) - Tim Lennie spent the first day in his newly elected position as chief of Wrigley gathering updated information on the issues the community is facing.

Lennie was elected chief on July 7 with 18 votes compared to eight votes for Billy Bertrand. There were a total of 64 eligible voters.

Chief Tim Lennie speaks at the Dehcho Assembly in Kakisa in June before the Wrigley delegation left the proceedings. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

The issues are familiar to Lennie, 49, who has served as chief a number of times. The last time he held the position was in 2003.

What the community needs now is a clear way forward and a long-term vision, he said.

"A lot of us need some clarity in a lot of things," Lennie said.

In the forefront is the offer from the federal government on the Dehcho Process, the proposed Mackenzie Valley Pipeline and access and benefits agreements, Lennie said.

Social issues, including the traditions of the people, culture and language, are also something Lennie would like to focus on.

He said he also hopes to pass financial and administrative policies so there are clear procedures to follow.

The first order of business, Lennie said, will be to call a public meeting. The membership needs to endorse the new leadership, he said.

Only three candidates stepped forward for the six-person council and all were acclaimed. They are: Jessie Clille, George Moses and David Moses, who was chief up until earlier this year.

Membership will be asked how they want to fill the three vacant seats either by election or appointment.

"We need continuity whether it's through this leadership or future leadership," Lennie said.

This is the third change in leadership in Wrigley in the past year.

In January at a public meeting, band members passed a motion to remove then chief David Moses and dissolve what remained of the council.

On Feb. 2, Gabe Hardisty was elected chief, but in June he and his six-member council stepped down following a petition of non-confidence at a membership meeting.

Also facing Lennie and his council are decisions on how to proceed from the actions taken at the Dehcho Assembly.

The Wrigley delegation walked out of the proceedings on June 29.

Lennie said the main reason for the action was the lack of funding capacity given to Wrigley at the community level coupled with a number of other issues.

During the assembly, Lennie told the gathered leaders that Wrigley is never welcomed or helped.

"Give people a chance you know. People can change," Lennie told the gathered crowd.

Looking back, Lennie said the walkout was something that had to happen.

"I feel First Nations can be very successful but it's just getting organized and having the appropriate resources to do it," he said.

Wrigley needs an opportunity to regroup. A lot of the responsibility falls on the community to decide what kind of a future residents want, he said.

"We will move ahead in one way or another," Lennie said.

"It will be a challenge. We have to put a new face on our community here."

- with files from Paul Bickford