Fred Sangris holds off challengers and is re-elected in Ndılǫ

Fred Sangris will be re-elected as the Yellowknives Dene First Nation Chief of Ndılǫ, preliminary results from Monday’s election suggest.

Initial results posted by the First Nation show Sangris, the incumbent, received 131 votes. Nearest challenger Shirley Tsetta received 101.

Liz Liske received 90 votes and Ted Tsetta 43. In all, 365 people voted. The turnout figure was not immediately clear.

The result was similar to that of the last election in 2021, when 357 people voted and Sangris triumphed with 141 votes, about 50 ahead of his nearest rival that year.

Sangris has promised to continue working through the Akaitcho Process land and self-government negotiations, as well as keep pressing the federal government for an apology and compensation related to the effects of Giant Mine’s operations on Yellowknives Dene communities and people.

He also pledged to build more housing for Ndılǫ and work more closely with other First Nations if re-elected.

A five-day appeal period is now in progress. If no appeals are received by 3pm on Saturday, Sangris will be sworn in as chief.