Liard McMillan is back for another term.
The chief of Liard First Nation was re-elected after winning 216 of 412 votes cast in Monday’s election, according to unofficial results.
Peter Stone came in second with 91 votes.
Eighty-seven people — nearly a quarter of votes cast — from the Liard First Nation voted for disgraced former chief Daniel Morris, who spent a year in jail after beating and kidnapping his estranged wife in 2003.
Morris still owes the First Nation an estimated $250,000, according to the band. Indian and Northern Affairs started a forensic audit of finances under Morris’ leadership.
Potential candidates are disqualified from running if they have been convicted of a crime two years previous to the election. This allowed Morris to run.
Fourth-place candidate David Dickson secured 18 votes.
Liard is one of three Yukon First Nations without a final land claim agreement with the federal government.
McMillan, who has served one term, wants to focus his next three years on economic development and rebuilding Liard’s reputation, he said in a recent interview with the News.
The deputy chief, always elected from the BC Daylu Dena people, is Walter Carlick, whose 40 votes trumped Agnes Ball’s 32.
Councillors elected Monday include Jim Wolftail, Darryl Stewart, Sam Donnessey, Ann Dickson , Malcolm Groat and Kenneth E. McMillan.
Liard McMillan could not be reached for comment. (JW)