The Gwichya Gwich’in Council swore in Frederick (Sonny) Blake Jr. as Gwich’in Grand Chief in Tsiigehtchic, N.W.T., on Friday, despite the Gwich’in Tribal Council’s board saying it will appeal a recent N.W.T. Supreme Court decision that declared him grand chief.
The swearing in ceremony started on Friday afternoon.
“I stand with all of you, our communities, our families, our leaders,” Blake said, in a speech soon after his swearing in.
“During this journey, I spoke about unity, I spoke about our strength when we stand together, and I spoke about the importance of listening to one another, understanding each other, and moving forward as one people. That is what I believe in, and that is what I will work towards every day as your grand chief.”
Many other people also gave speeches during the event, including Dene National Chief George Mackenzie, N.W.T. MP Michael McLeod, and representatives from the RCMP. Drummers and dancers from Fort McPherson and Fort Good Hope were expected to perform during the celebration, and there were also plans for a feast and drum dance.
Gwich’in Tribal Council CEO Jamie Koe, meanwhile, announced in a news release posted to the council’s Facebook page on Friday that it had directed its legal counsel to appeal the Supreme Court’s decision.
In August, Blake defeated the only other candidate, incumbent Ken Kyikavichik, by 89 votes in the election for the role of Gwich’in grand chief.
The board overturned Blake’s election following a complaint from Kyikavichik, who argued Blake had broken the Gwich’in Tribal Council’s election bylaw and policy. An investigation by the election committee found those complaints unfounded, but the board decided they had merit.
In a Supreme Court decision earlier this month, Justice Annie Piché declared Blake duly elected and ordered the Gwich’in Tribal Council’s board to abstain from holding a new election.
Koe said Friday that the tribal council was appealing Piche’s decision over concerns that it had the potential to “undermine the GTC’s ability to make decisions under its own Indigenous governance and authority.”
As of Friday afternoon, no appeal been filed to the N.W.T. Supreme Court.
