WRIGLEY - After just over six months in power, Chief Tim Lennie of the Pehdzeh Ki First Nation in Wrigley has left the position.

Lennie, who has been acting as the chief of Wrigley off and on for the past 20 years, said he made the decision before Christmas.

Tim Lennie: Chief makes final speech to Dehcho leadership.

He formally announced his plan to fellow chiefs at the Dehcho First Nations' special leadership assembly in Fort Simpson between Jan. 23 to 25. Jan. 26 marked his final day as chief.

Lennie cited exhaustion as his reason for leaving the position. Over the past four or five years a number of things have combined to lead to this point, he said.

People don't realize how much time and effort leaders put into the role, said Lennie.

"People all over need to grasp what their leadership is doing for them," he said.

It's frustrating when no matter how much energy leaders put into informing their people they don't participate, he said. Lennie said he's also found frustration in dealing with the Dehcho Process and the Mackenzie Gas Project because of the amount of time it has taken.

Lennie said putting all his energy into the Mackenzie Gas Project has taken himself and others away from their way of life and even their language.

"It's hard to use a foreign language," said Lennie referring to English.

Emotional matters involving the loss of several people to illness and the re-emergence of residential school issues that he thought he had dealt with also contributed to the decision, said Lennie.

Lennie's resignation marks the third leadership change in the community in a 12-month period. The shuffle started on Jan. 22, 2006 when band members voted to oust David Moses, who had been charged with possession of marijuana.

Gabe Hardisty was elected on Feb. 2 but stepped down with his six member council on June 15 following a petition of non-confidence at a membership meeting.

Lennie was then elected on July 7.

Following this latest vacancy in the position, Mike Canadien, the senior administrative officer for the band, said the community would decide on a course of action during a public meeting scheduled for Jan. 30.

Originally from Tulita, Lennie was first elected chief of Wrigley in 1983 after entering Deh Cho politics in 1981.

"I was nobody," said Lennie. "They've given me more than they've given some of their own people."

Being a chief is a job, but Lennie said it's something he felt he had to do. Although he'll no longer have title, Lennie said he'll be available to people and communities in the region who ask for help.

Lennie also plans to use what he has gained to give back to the region's youth.

With his new freedom, Lennie said he plans to spend more time with his family and looks forward to drumming and attending drum dances.

Despite stepping down, Lennie hasn't ruled out the possibility of becoming a chief again.

"I never say never in my life," said Lennie.