Hay River Reserve (July 31/06) - Bill Erasmus is back in the job he left three years ago -national chief of the Dene Nation.

And he has retained his position as regional chief for the Assembly of First Nations (AFN).

Both positions were filled July 29 at the Dene Nation's 36th annual assembly on the Hay River Reserve.

Erasmus was elected national chief with 120 votes, compared to 71 for Richard Edjericon. Floyd Bertrand received eight votes, while Archie Catholique and Julian Landry each got five.

In the race for AFN regional chief, a position elected by chiefs only, Erasmus garnered 21 votes compared to Edjericon's four. Catholique did not receive a vote.

"I think people are giving us a clear signal that they want all of our people to work together," said Erasmus.

He was national chief for 16 years and filled that position and the AFN post from 1994-2003.

Going into the assembly, a major issue was combining the two positions to prevent duplication and lower costs. It dominated Friday afternoon's discussion, and there was even debate whether an AFN regional chief should be elected at all.

"The two positions are remaining, unless we change it," Erasmus said. "But there was some varied discussion on what we ought to do."

That discussion will continue at a meeting in the fall.

Erasmus's wins mean the AFN regional office will move back into the Dene Nation office in Yellowknife.

The two split about three years ago amid conflict between Erasmus as AFN regional chief and then newly elected Dene National Chief Noeline Villebrun.

"There will be cost savings," Erasmus said. "We can move into one office. We can combine the AFN budget with the Dene Nation office."

Villebrun very publicly expressed her displeasure with Erasmus's election, and was the only one to vote against accepting the election results.

"I couldn't vote to accept something that is not right," she said, claiming Erasmus put the Dene Nation into a financial deficit from which it has still not recovered.

"The bottom line should be about accountability and transparency," she said.

She also claimed Erasmus owes money to the Dene Nation, such as advances for housing allowances, and shouldn't have been a candidate for national chief.

Erasmus offered a muted reaction to Villebrun's comments.

"I don't want to get into any great detail," he said. "I think it's internal matters within the Dene Nation, but there were some misunderstandings.

"This campaign wasn't based on that. This is based now on saying let's move forward, let's do the best we can, and let's not blame anyone for things that have happened."

Delegates welcomed Erasmus's return.

"I think he did a good job before and I think he's going to do it again," said Fred Martel of K'atlodeeche First Nation. He said he is glad to see one person fill the post of national chief and AFN regional chief.

Lucy Lomen of Fort Liard also said the election turned out well. She added the future is bright for the Dene Nation, and it is important to keep the organization.