Eddie Skookum, chief of the Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation, was re-elected yesterday by five votes.
Skookum is likely Yukon’s longest-serving chief — he has held the job for 12 years. But he was nearly toppled this year by his popular cousin, George Skookum, who works for the First Nation’s Finance Department and serves on council.
The incumbent received 128 votes; the challenger received 123.
Ken Roberts is the new deputy chief. He won by 165 votes against Shirley Bellmore, who received 92 votes.
This is the first time voters ticked a separate ballot box for deputy chief. Previously the job went to the councillor who won by the largest margin and was from a different family than the chief.
Lennie Charlie and Joseph O’Brien are Crow clan councillors. Darlene Johnson and Marian Skookum are Wolf clan councillors.
All will serve four-year terms.
Voter turnout was 53 per cent, with 259 of 492 eligible voters participating.