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New chief for Cheslatta Carrier Nation

After a long and emotional journey, Cheslatta Carrier Nation's Chief Corrina Leween decided not to re-run for chief in last week's election
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(L-R) newly elected

After a long and emotional journey, Cheslatta Carrier Nation's Chief Corrina Leween decided not to re-run for chief in last week's election.

Leween said not running in the election this year is not out of her lack of desire to represent the nation, but rather that the position of chief can be stressful and has takes its toll on those in the position.

"I will continue to live in the community and keep involved with the Cheslatta band and its members," said Leween in a message given to the Cheslatta membership prior to the election.

"I do not want the membership to think or feel that I  am abandoning you," she added.

"I have been honoured to be a spokesperson for Cheslatta. I have sat at many minister's tables and negotiated the interests of Cheslatta Carrier Nation, seldom backing down for what I believe in and not afraid to voice the opinion of the nation. I have been honoured to speak on the protection of children and I will continue to do that work from my home. Children are an important part of the success of the future," she added. Leween also reported on the projects completed under her leadership and she thanks councillors and staff for the time and effort they have put in.

Among the projects completed under Chief Leween's leadership are; a hot lunch program offered to students at the Grassy Plains School, a smoke house for the use of the community, a fish trade project with neighbouring First Nations groups, a yearly camp out designed to bring people back to the land, the Chief Louie Paddle Company, Chunbya Wood Shop which runs in conjunction with the Chief Louie Paddle Company, a renewed Southbank dock for Southside residents to use, renovations to 13 homes, 2006-2007 flood restoration work, trail restoration work, three years of fuel management, an elders bus, a three nations logging project, a Quonset at the works yard, a community forest building, forest fire management, he Cheslatta Community Forest and the three nations water project which is a $14 million project that serves the entire community and brings safe drinking water.

Chief Leween was also involved with the 2010 Olympics organizing wooden podiums made from Ootsa Lake underwater wood and served as the president of the Carrier Sekani Family Services.

As of late last week, a new chief was announced for Cheslatta Carrier Nation.

Richard Peters who had previously held the position of councillor for two years with former Chief Leween,  received a total of 50 votes and was named chief. In the running was Archie Charlie who received 32 votes and Cheryl Boyd who received a total of 25 votes.

New councillors are Michael Charlie who received a total of 80 votes and Hazel Burt who received a total of 67. Janet Whitford was not elected, but also ran for councillor receiving 45 votes.

New Chief Peters said to Lakes District News that he had been a councillor and a chief in the past. "I am just going to carry on with my duties," he said.

Chief Peters said he appreciated each and every person that voted and wanted to pass on his appreciation for the outgoing chief and council.

"I also want to congratulate new councillors. It was a good voter turn out," he said adding that 107 members voted in the election.