Clearwater River Chief Re-Elected By Acclamation

Clearwater River Chief Re-Elected By Acclamation

Monday, May 04, 2009 at 14:24

 

 

A long-time northern Saskatchewan First Nations chief is staying put as leader of his band.

 

Roy Cheecham has been acclaimed as chief of the Clearwater River Dene Nation after no one was nominated to oppose him in the upcoming election.

 

This will be the fifth time Cheecham has been elected to serve a four-year term.

 

He says he was thinking of calling it quits after the last election, but was convinced to stay.

 

Cheecham says he isn’t sure if new rules stipulating who is eligible to run for the top job played any part in the lack of challengers.

 

Among the changes is a clause that prevents people without their Grade 12 from running, as well as someone who hasn’t already served four years on council.

 

Another new rule prevents people who have debts to the band from running for chief.

 

Candidates must also pay a $250 entry fee.