The Gwich’in Tribal Council said on Thursday it will file an appeal over the NWT Supreme Court’s decision to declare Frederick Blake Jr the winner of last year’s grand chief election.
The GTC announced its plan in a summary of a Wednesday board meeting uploaded to Facebook.
The summary of the meeting does not list the grounds to be pursued in that appeal.
At the same meeting, the board postponed a special assembly in Tsiigehtchic at which Blake was to have been formally installed as grand chief. It has been moved from Friday this week to March 1, the summary stated, though multiple residents in Tsiigehtchic reported at least some form of ceremony on Friday was likely to go ahead anyway.
Approached for comment, a spokesperson for the GTC said a statement was being prepared.
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Blake had been the initial victor in the August 2024 election but the tribal council’s board subsequently overturned the result after Blake’s rival, incumbent Ken Kyikavichik, alleged a series of election rule violations.
The matter proceeded to a lawsuit involving Blake, Kyikavichik and the tribal council.
In a written decision earlier this month, Justice Annie Piché ruled in favour of Blake.
Piché concluded the GTC’s board had “breached some of the most fundamental principles of fair adjudication” in deciding to void the election’s result despite a specially formed committee finding no fault with the electoral process.
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The judge declared Blake the new grand chief and ordered the Gwich’in Tribal Council not to hold any further election until Blake’s term expires or the position is otherwise vacated.
The GTC said on Thursday it was also seeking a stay of that decision, placing it on pause while the tribal council launches an appeal.
Comments were limited on the Facebook post containing the meeting summary. Even so, the decision to file an appeal was immediately questioned online by some members who expressed concern about the cost – and reputational consequences – of prolonging a legal battle that has lasted for half a year.
Blake’s legal team has been approached for comment.
More follows.
