Charles McNeely was acclaimed as the new chair of the Sahtu Secretariat Inc. at the organizationSA国际影视传媒檚 annual general meeting on Tuesday in Tulita.

McNeely says it was a nice vote of confidence in his leadership, this being the first time heSA国际影视传媒檚 run for the position after having served on the organizationSA国际影视传媒檚 board for nine years.

SA国际影视传媒淚 enjoy what ISA国际影视传媒檓 doing,SA国际影视传媒� he says. SA国际影视传媒淚 figure ISA国际影视传媒檝e got enough experience to do the job.SA国际影视传媒�

McNeely represented the Fort Good Hope Metis Land Corporation throughout his years on SSISA国际影视传媒檚 board.

Originally from Fort Good Hope, McNeely worked as a heavy equipment operator on seismic programs for the oil industry in the region.

SA国际影视传媒淏efore that, I was kind of living off the land,SA国际影视传媒� he says. SA国际影视传媒淚 grew up a hunter and trapper and still am.SA国际影视传媒�

McNeely says he hopes he can help stir some economic activity in the region during his tenure as chair.

SA国际影视传媒淥ur economy is kind of down and out,SA国际影视传媒� he says. SA国际影视传媒淲e've got to start exploring new options. I believe we have. So that's the, I think that's where we're at right now. There was the oil and gas boom and now that's gone. So now we've got to look for other alternatives.SA国际影视传媒�

McNeely is the first new chair SSI has had in almost a decade. Former MP Ethel Blondin-Andrew stepped down from the role earlier on May 31, after nine years. McNeely stepped in to fill the role in the interim.

Blondin-Andrew was acclaimed as the new director of the Norman Wells Land Corporation on Sept. 4.

The Sahtu Secretariat was formed by the four Dene and three Metis land corporations in the region in 1994 and is responsible for the implementation of the Sahtu Dene and M茅tis Land Claims Settlement Act.