Chief Phillip Blake has been re-elected as chief of the Gwichya Gwich’in. He will join an all-female council in governing the band, many of whose members reside in Tsiigehtchic.
A total of 152 members cast their ballots. Blake received 59 votes, followed by 49 for Russell Andre, 41 for Grace Blake and three for Jason McLeod Blake.
Blake joins councillors Julie-Ann Andre, Jamie Benoit-Cardinal, Charlene Blake, Cindy McDonald and Shelly Vanloon. There are five seats on council and only five ran for these positions, so each member of council was acclaimed.
MLA for the Mackenzie Delta Frederick Blake Jr. congratulated the elected representatives in the legislative assembly Tuesday. “I look forward to working with Chief Phillip Blake and his council throughout the rest of our term and wish them all the best throughout their term.”
Chief electoral officer Mary Beckett says the election process went smoothly, with people able to vote in person, online as well as via telephone.
