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Mervyn re elected as chief of Nacho Nyak Dun

There is a familiar face at the helm of the Nacho Nyak Dun First Nation.

There is a familiar face at the helm of the Nacho Nyak Dun First Nation.

Simon Mervyn, who previously served two terms as chief, won back the spot last night after receiving 130 of 226 total votes in a general election.

He beat out the only other candidate, Albert Genier, who received 92 votes.

Millie Olsen was elected as deputy chief while Irene Johnny, Ronald Peter, Melody Hutton and Sharon Peter won councillor seats.

Former Nacho Nyak Dun chief Ed Champion had declared the snap election “unlawful.”

He said he was out of the territory when the election was called without his approval last December.

Champion, who was halfway into a four-year term, made the comment in January and was fired by council the following week.

Few details were provided as to why he was fired, except a reference to Section 14 of the First Nation’s Governance Act, which states that council members may be subject to discipline up to and including removal of office if their conduct or behaviour calls into question the dignity or integrity of the First Nation.