Nahanni Butte (Aug 28/06) - After two years running things at the Nahanni Butte First Nation, Chief Eric Betsaka says he's had enough of the job.

Not only has he decided he won't run in the upcoming election, he's also asked the band council to hold elections a month earlier so he can step aside that much sooner.

His term was scheduled to finish in the beginning of October, but instead the election for chief is being held on Sept. 5.

For the past two years Betsaka said he's been going non-stop and he needs to take some time off. "I think I've worn myself."

Betsaka said he was suppose to have time for a vacation after the Kakisa Assembly in July, but there were too many issues in the community that needed to be addressed.

Despite support from residents to run for a second term, Betsaka said his worn state might negatively affect the good results that have been accomplished in the community over the past few years. Someone one fresh needs to continue the workload, said Betsaka.

At the top of council's to-do list are concerns about the Prairie Creek and CanTung mines, he said.

Betsaka said Nahanni Butte turned down overtures from the Aboriginal Pipeline Group, saying "the affected communities will have the say."

He plans to return to his job with Parks Canada.