By Tom Taylor, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, NWT Supreme Court Justice Annie Piche has ruled that Frederick Blake Jr. is the “duly-elected grand chief” of the Gwich’in Tribal Council (GTC), and there is no need to hold a new election for the position. “I order the board of the Gwich’in Tribal Council to abstain from holding a new election for the position of grand chief until Frederick Blake Jr.’s term expires or until his position otherwise becomes vacant,” the judge stated in a 34-page ruling released on Jan. 15. Blake was elected grand chief on Aug. 19, 2024, defeating incumbent Ken Kyikavichik 604 votes to 515. The day after the election, Kyikavichik filed a complaint with the GTC Elections Committee calling for a new election based on four alleged violations…
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