The air was rife with political tension at the 54th Dene National Assembly on Thursday.
At 9:35 p.m., George Mackenzie was elected as the organization's national chief, succeeding Gerald Antoine, who was seeking re-election, and outlasting four other contenders.
All day at the Chief Drygeese Centre in Dettah, the air was buzzing with discussion as the candidates were gradually eliminated in three rounds of voting. Dene Nation delegates from all five regions cast ballots in-person and online. The humid room was packed during the morning, afternoon and evening, with standing room only.
SA国际影视传媒淥ur young generation will be proud leaders, 50 years from now,SA国际影视传媒� Mackenzie stated in his victory speech.
The former two-term Tlicho grand chief told SA国际影视传媒 prior to the election that the Dene Nation's constitution needs to be modernized.
"We need to fast track the constitution to fit the needs of the five regions," he stated. "Some have settled their land claims with self government, finished land claims, and some [have] ongoing claims. We need to finish the unsettled claims faster. The constitution will glue the Dene Nation [together] faster and better. Right now the Dene Nation is not being fully meaningful to some regions. Dene Nation will not speak for the region but will lobby on their behalf."
Following the second round of voting at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Mackenzie stood at just over 49 per cent support, with the remainder split between Gerry Cheezie and April Martel. Dinner was served, and Martel made impassioned concession statements as she was asked to step away from the process, having received the fewest votes.
