Wrigley election shows Pehdzeh Ki First Nation ‘wanted change’

Wrigley’s Pehdzeh Ki First Nation has a new chief: Jesse Nekenyia-Moses, better known as Jamie Moses.

Nekeneyia-Moses was elected on Tuesday with 21 votes. Former chief Lloyd Moses came second with 13 votes. D’Arcy Moses had five votes and Craig Cli four.

“The Elders all voted. They wanted change and they’re happy with the outcome,” said Wesley Pellissey, a member of the First Nation, reached after the result had been announced.

“The Elders will support him and guide him along the way.”

Elders in Wrigley are “all excited and happy that Jamie is becoming their chief,” said Charlie Tale, a former council member and Elder. “I’ve known Jamie for a long time. I went with him out in the bush and I’m pretty sure he’ll be a good chief.”

Tale says he believes the new council will take a collective-minded approach to governance.

“We want to support him,” said Tale. “He’s thinking for the whole community.”

Dehcho Grand Chief Herb Norwegian said he is looking forward to working with the new council.

For the past 15 years, Norwegian said, Pehdzeh Ki First Nation representation was inconsistent at Dehcho leaders’ meetings. He hopes Tuesday’s election marks a change.

“I’m just hoping from here on in that a new bridge will be built between the rest of the Dehcho and that community,” said Norwegian.

“We’ll charge forward with dealing with the lands and resources issues. We’re dealing with both governments and we’re hoping that PKFN membership is fully involved, and that we take a very solid serious move forward in trying to resolve the question of land and governance in the Dehcho.”

The First Nation’s new council consists of Albert Clille with 25 votes, Freddie Lennie with 25 votes, Jason Horesay with 24 votes, Jenssen Clille with 24 votes, Nicole Hardisty with 23 votes and David Moses with 16 votes.

Pellissey said David Moses and Albert Clille give the First Nation’s Elders representation on council alongside what he characterized as young change-makers, a few of whom have relatives with political experience to lean on.

“It’s a good council. It’s good, strong leadership and I’m confident that … this is going to bring a lot of change to Wrigley,” he said.

“We need a leadership and council that think about everybody, not just the immediate families. We want the people to be taken care of as a whole. Everyone wants jobs, everyone wants work and everyone wants to be treated the same. No special treatment.

“Moving forward, the younger generation has seen the politics in Wrigley and they want change – and they’ve spoken with the election.”

A big challenge is keeping youth in the community, Pellissey said. He wants council to tackle the issue of generating good jobs.

“Wrigley is one of the most beautiful places in the territory,” he said. “Who wouldn’t want to live in Wrigley if there was work there? They leave the community because there’s lack of work.”

Tale says the community was looking for a big change.

“They’re happy now, they’re full of joy,” Tale said of residents. “They wanted to see Jamie become a chief.”