Chief Ernest Betsina, one of two leaders of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, has won $2.5 million through a Lotto 6/49 ticket according to lottery organizers.
Betsina is the Dettah chief alongside Chief Fred Sangris, who is the chief of Ndılǫ.
In a news release published on Tuesday, the Western Canada Lottery Corporation identified Betsina as one of two ticketholders who shared a $5-million Lotto 6/49 prize on May 16.
“I had to take a deep breath and give thanks,” Betsina was quoted as saying in the news release.
“I kept it to myself for a few days but later told my sons.”
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The Western Canada Lottery Corporation – which says it identifies major winners to demonstrate that anyone can win and prove the integrity of its games – described Betsina as a regular player who was drawn to the opportunity to play for larger jackpots.
“I’ve been buying tickets for a long time,” Betsina was quoted as saying. “This is an incredible feeling.”
The lottery corporation said Betsina planned to “pay some bills” with some of the cash and invest the remainder.
The ticket was bought at Gastown on Old Airport Road, the corporation added. Betsina won by matching all five classic draw numbers on May 16, sharing the overall prize fund with a ticket purchased in Ontario.
