Get to know the new chief of West Point First Nation

Jacksen Friske·Tuesday July 8, 2025 at 2:02pm MT

Chief of West Point First Nation, Devon Felker sits with his back facing the camera. He wears a brown vest with the word 'Toasty' across his back. He is onlooking a waterfront view with mountains seen in the background.

Devon Felker sits onlooking a waterfront sporting his 'Toasty' vest. Photo: submitted.

West Point First Nation’s newest chief, Devon Felker, has been attending council meetings since before he could remember.

“My mom was chief of West Point First Nation years ago, in the early 2000s, when I was just a baby. She would take me to the assembly meetings all around the Dehcho,” Felker told Cabin Radio.

Felker, a 26-year-old from Hay River, was elected as chief on July 3. He has served as a member on the First Nation’s council since 2019.

One lesson Felker said he learned as a councillor that he will carry into his role as chief is: “Be equal, because everyone has their different ideas of what’s right and you’ve got to kind-of try and balance between everyone’s version of what they want to see and what they assume is right, and try and find a medium ground between everyone.”

Felker said his aim for the start of his term as chief is to gather insight from West Point First Nation members and Elders to help inform goals.

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“In the end, it’s the community who tells the chief what to do. The chief doesn’t go out and do his own agenda and what he wants,” said Felker.

Devon Felker, left, with his mother, Karen Felker. Photo submitted by Devon Felker

Devon Felker sporting some of his drone gear. Photo submitted by Devon Felker

While Felker may be one of the younger chiefs in the NWT, he said he has had strong mentorship from both his mother, Karen Felker, and his grandfather, Jim Thomas, who he said has been a role model throughout his life.

In his new role as chief, Felker said his support system will be within arms reach at all times.

“I am chief and my mom’s a councillor on council. So, not only does she get to tell me what to do off hours, she gets to tell me what to do when I’m busy with work too,” said Felker

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Despite having family connections and early experience with council, growing up, Felker said he wanted to be a pilot before moving into a leadership role.

Felker continues that interest, although on a much smaller scale.

He posts videos of first-person drone and remote-controlled plane footage on Instagram and YouTube under the usernames toastygarlicbread and Toasty Productions.

“I just like garlic bread to be honest,” said Felker of why he chose the names.

His enjoyment of garlic bread has now landed him the nickname “Chief Toasty.”