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Steve Smith elected chief of Champagne and Aishihik First Nations

Steve Smith elected chief of Champagne and Aishihik First Nations The Champagne and Aishihik First Nations in Haines Junction have a new chief. Steve Smith was elected to the position after receiving 346 of 507 total votes.

The Champagne and Aishihik First Nations in Haines Junction have a new chief.

Steve Smith was elected to the position after receiving 346 of 507 total votes.

Smith beat incumbent chief James Allen, who received 160 votes.

Rose Kushniruk, Shadelle Chambers, Kathleen VanBibber and Leslie Walker were elected to council.

Carol Buzzell won the elder councillor position while Nicole Nicholas-Workman won the youth councillor spot, according to chief returning officer Georgina Leslie.

In April 2013, Smith was appointed to the Champagne Aishihik Trust Board for a three-year term.

The board oversees investment funds to the First Nation and makes recommendations to council on investment policy matters.

He’s taken a master’s degree in business administration and has 16 years of experience in economic development.

He also represented the First Nation at the Yukon Indian Development Corporation, where he was secretary and treasurer.

(Myles Dolphin)

Mock emergency drill

held at Copper Ridge Place

Emergency officials and staff at Copper Ridge Place got a chance yesterday to practise what they would do in the event of a major emergency at the continuing care home.

Once a year, staff at one of the four facilities in the Yukon are put through the paces with a mock emergency.

This year they practised what would happen if a major water main leak in the upper floor caused the ceiling to cave in on one of the care units on the lower level.

In any one day about 50 staff are working at Copper Ridge Place, said Nancy Kidd, the Health Department’s director of safety and clinical excellence with continuing care.

The scenario was a drill for others as well. Whitehorse firefighters were on the scene as well as paramedics and representatives from the Yukon government’s emergency measures department.

“It was amazingly successful,” Kidd said. “We were really happy with the outcome.”

Twelve residents were moved from the adult and children’s unit to a seniors unit, she said. Copper Ridge Place is a 96-bed facility.

Kidd said plans are in place for all types of emergencies, but it is important to practise them. Along with the yearly mock drills, staff also go through less complex training once a month.

(Ashley Joannou)

Vuntut Gwitchin call

election for next month

The Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation in Old Crow has called an election for Monday, Nov. 17.

The First Nation will elect one chief and four council members, according to returning officer Renee Charlie.

In 2012, Chief Joe Linklater was acclaimed to the position again after a one-year hiatus.

He was the chief for 12 years before resigning in late 2010.

(Myles Dolphin)