Nahanni Butte (Sep 08/06) - Chief Eric Betsaka is willing to admit they he may have put his foot in his mouth too early in the game.

Betsaka has been re-elected as chief of Nahanni Butte despite his earlier statement that he wouldn't run for a second term.

In the election on Sept. 5, Betsaka gained 39 votes compared to 29 for Jayne Konisenta, said Tammy Matou the electoral officer.

After announcing publicly that he was tired from two years in office, Betsaka said he received a number of phone calls from elders and members of the community who were concerned that there was a need for continuity in the leadership. The callers wanted the good things that had happened during the past two years to continue, said Betsaka.

"Based on that I had to respect their view," he said.

He submitted his name on August 25, four days before nominations closed. Despite the phone calls, Betsaka said he was a bit surprised by his win.

"I could understand the community's support, I guess," he said.

Betsaka hopes that the community will continue to move forward with it's progress.

"It's going to be a task but we have to keep working together," he said.