FORT SMITH - The race to find a new chief for the Salt River First Nation is shaping up to be an interesting political battle.

Former chief Raymond Beaver and prominent band member Frieda Martselos - who is married to Fort Smith Mayor Peter Martselos - have their eyes set on the same prize.

Raymond Beaver: former chief wants to return to helm of Salt River First Nation. Frieda Martselos: first-time candidate seeks leadership of Salt River First Nation.

The two were the only candidates when nominations closed April 2.

An April 30 by-election will find a replacement for Jim Schaefer, who resigned as chief on March 1.

Beaver was chief of the Fort Smith-based band from 1981-86 and sat on its council from 2000-2004.

The 61-year-old said he wants more accountability from leadership and more of a say for members in band issues, such as finances.

Beaver believes council decisions affecting all band members should be taken to the people for approval.

Over the years, band council resolutions have been passed with little input, he said. "It's not very much security for the people."

Beaver said he is running to become chief to try to make a difference. "You can't do it from out here."

In particular, he would like the band to establish a business corporation.

Beaver said, if elected, he would use his communication skills and political experience to get all members of the band working together for a stronger voice.

The candidate recognized there have been divisions in the band in the past.

"It's something that's a constant battle to bring people together."

Beaver expects an interesting race against Martselos.

"Any time there's more than one person running it's interesting," he said. "She has her supporters and I have mine."

Martselos, 55, said she believes in accountability, transparency, honesty and an open-door policy in band affairs, adding she has strong leadership qualities.

Martselos said her background in various business ventures would serve her well as chief.

"I think I can use those abilities to make Salt River First Nation a strong economic force in the community," she said.

While she is well-known in Fort Smith, Martselos has never held elected office.

"I don't have a lot of political experience, but I'm quite aware of all the issues in the community and the issues concerning Salt River First Nation," she said.

Martselos thinks the fact she has never been on council is actually a positive for her. "I believe the members of Salt River First Nation want change."

Some of her goals as chief would be to invest revenues from the trust fund established as part of the band's treaty land entitlement settlement of 2002, hold annual meetings with members in Yellowknife and Edmonton, and more consultation with all members.

"People want to have input," she said. "I think the chief and council must take direction from members at special and general meetings."

Over the years, Martselos has been involved in various causes, most recently as chair of a community renewal weekend involving Fort Smith's Roman Catholic and Anglican churches.

Beaver expressed no concern that, if Martselos is elected, the mayor and chief would be husband and wife.

"She's a band member," he said, "She has a right to run."

Martselos herself doesn't see it as an issue.

"I think it's a non-factor," she said, noting her husband is responsible for the people of Fort Smith, while the chief is responsible for the people of Salt River First Nation.