K'ATLODEECHE/HAY RIVER - After three years away from the job, Roy Fabian is back as chief of K'atlodeeche First Nation on the Hay River Reserve.

Fabian, 58, defeated Alec Sunrise, who had been chief since 2006, in a vote on June 16.

Roy Fabian: back as chief of K'atlodeeche First Nation after a three-year absence. - NNSL file photo

"I guess the people wanted a change," Fabian said.

The new chief said he was surprised by his election victory.

"I didn't expect to win because of the way I lost last time," he said.

In 2006, Fabian lost by a two-to-one margin to Sunrise in a two-man race.

Fabian said he ran this year because he didn't want to see an acclamation.

The new chief collected 116 votes compared to 70 for Sunrise.

Fabian, who was elected to a three-year term, previously served as chief from 1988 to 1990 and from 2002 to 2006.

Sunrise said the election results were the Lord's will.

"It was the people who voted, but, in my view, it was the Lord who decided it was not for me to be in that position," he said.

Sunrise added he was not surprised by the results.

"One of the things I said to people was I lost before," he said, referring to the 2004 election in which he lost to Fabian by two votes in a four-person field.

Sunrise said he worked to do his part as chief and he learned a lot of things on the government level.

"It's not an easy position," he said of being chief. "The expectations of others are very high."

Sunrise, 55, declined to speculate whether he might return to politics in the future.

"My focus is going to be going back into construction, not politics," he said.

Sunrise expressed thanks to the councillors he worked with as chief and supporters who offered encouragement over the past three years.

Fabian said he wants to move band issues forward, adding there is work to be done on such things as land claims.

"Programs and services need to be improved," he added, saying the band has good staff members, but they need better direction.

Fabian said it is hoped a community general assembly will be held before the end of August so band members can give direction to the new chief and council.

The June 16 election also saw a new six-person council chosen for K'atlodeeche First Nation.

The new council consists of Robert Lamalice, Joe Tambour, Lyle Fabian, Raymond Sonfrere, Peter Sabourin and Pat Martel.

They were elected out of a field of 12 candidates.

New members of the district education authority for the Hay River Reserve were also chosen during the June 16 election.

They are Clara Sabourin, Rebecca Aylward, Andy Cardinal, Violet Fabian and Georgina Fabian.