Hay River Reserve (Jul 03/06) - K'atlodeeche First Nation voters have overwhelmingly opted for a change of chief.

Alec Sunrise won a June 26 election by a two-to-one margin over now ex-chief Roy Fabian.

Sunrise collected 121 votes, compared to just 61 for Fabian.

The new chief says he expected to win, based on expressions of support he heard before the election from band members.

However, the magnitude of his victory was still a surprise.

"That, I didn't expect, not at those numbers, anyway," he says.

As for why the election was so lopsided, Sunrise says the band membership really wanted a change. "I think people want a leader who focuses on the community."

Sunrise, 52, had lost to Fabian by two votes in 2004's three-person race for chief.

The new chief says it is a great honour to be elected leader, noting he is the first Sunrise to serve as chief since his great-grandfather, Paul Sunrise, signed Treaty 8.

Fabian was not surprised by the results.

"I expected to lose, especially after the election the last time around," he says.

And Fabian offers a candid analysis of the election results.

"For me, to be honest, I was out of touch with the community. I worked on more of the big picture," he says, listing the Dehcho Process, treaty land entitlement negotiations and business opportunities. "Those things took me away from the community."

However, Fabian says people shouldn't look to leaders to solve all of their problems, such as alcohol and drug abuse.

"As long as those problems prevail, I don't think our leaders will ever have the opportunity to look at the long-term goals and take care of the needs of future generations," he says.

Fabian believes people are not taking responsibility for their own problems.

His advice for the new chief is, "You can't lose sight of the big picture, but, at the same time, help people become responsible for themselves."

The ex-chief says he has no immediate plans for his own future. "I just want to concentrate on taking a break."

Fabian, 54, served two two-year terms as chief, and was also chief from 1988-90.

Sunrise believes long-term issues, such as the Dehcho Process, have to be addressed.

But, he adds, "There needs to be a balance so that community issues are looked after, too."

As a full-time chief, Sunrise says his own home improvement business will be taken care of by someone else during his three-year term of office.

The new chief says he has a business mind, but adds, "I'll always try to be there for the people as much as I can."

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

Six band councillors were also elected from a field of 10 candidates.

The new council consists of Amos Cardinal, Robert Lamalice, Pat Martel, Leslie Norn, Peter Sabourin and Raymond Sonfrere.

Sunrise says he and the new councillors will likely have two or three days of meetings this week to discuss issues facing the band.