Frederick Blake Jr sworn in as Gwich’in grand chief

Frederick Blake Jr was sworn in as Grand Chief of the Gwich’in Tribal Council at a ceremony in Tsiigehtchic on Friday.

The ceremony went ahead even as the tribal council’s board of directors said earlier on Friday it would appeal this month’s NWT Supreme Court decision that declared Blake the winner of last year’s grand chief election.

Whether the tribal council’s board recognizes Blake as its own grand chief is not clear. The tribal council did not respond to multiple requests for clarification.

“I did not come here alone. I stand on the shoulders of those who came before me, who fought to protect our rights, our lands and our way of life,” said Blake after taking an oath to faithfully and honestly fulfill his duty to the Gwich’in people.

“Together, we can protect our rights, strengthen our communities and create a future where every question person has the opportunity to thrive.”

The tribal council’s board had already said it would appeal Justice Annie Piché’s ruling that the board’s concerns about last year’s elections did not warrant overturning the initial result, which was a victory for Blake.

On Friday, the board set out its grounds for that appeal. (There was no evidence an appeal or a stay of the NWT Supreme Court ruling had yet been filed as of Friday afternoon.)

In a statement, the GTC suggested its appeal would examine whether the court’s decision “had the potential to undermine the GTC’s ability to make decisions under its own Indigenous governance and authority.”

In reaching its decision, the court had relied in part on the GTC being incorporated under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act. The GTC now says that means “the decision has the potential to reduce the GTC’s Indigenous governance authority to that of a not-for-profit corporation only.”

“This ruling could impact all Indigenous governments that are also incorporated bodies,” the GTC stated.

For the most part, there was little mention of the tribal council’s intention to appeal during Friday’s ceremony in Tsiigehtchic, Blake’s home community.

However, the event began with ceremony chair Mary Ann Villeneuve telling attendees: “The decision of Justice Annie Piché was clear. It was delivered on January 14, 2025 and clearly stated that Frederick Blake Jr is the Grand Chief of the Gwich’in Tribal Council.”

“Aside from this ceremony and oath-taking,” she continued, “the chair will not entertain motions from the floor, resolutions of any kind or any further challenge of the election for grand chief. To act contrary to this limited intent could be an act of violation of Justice Piché’s order and open the Gwich’in Tribal Council to further legal risks.”

Several leaders spoke at the ceremony, including NWT MP Michael McLeod.

“When I heard Sonny [Blake] was going to run, and when he was successful in getting into the position, I was very grateful, because we need leaders to step forward and continue to push back on issues that challenge us,” said McLeod.

Celebrations are expected to continue in Tsiigehtchic over the coming days.

Ollie Williams contributed reporting.