Wilfred McNeely Jr. selected as new Grand Chief for Sahtu Dene Council

For the first time in 17 years, the N.W.T.'s Sahtu Dene Councilhas a new grand chief.

Chiefs from throughout the region selected Wilfred McNeely Jr., from Fort Good Hope, as their leader last month.

McNeely Jr., who is the chief of Fort Good Hope, takes over from Tulita'sFrank Andrew, who served as the region's grand chief for the past 17 years.

According to Wilbert Kochon, the chief of Colville Lakewho will serve as vice grand chief,the transition was a smooth process.

"We asked the previous grand chief if he wanted to step down, and he said: 'sure,' that he'd been there for quite a while, too long," said Kochon.

"He said:'let the younger ones take over.' He said that."

McNeelyJr. officiallytook over the position of grand chief for the region on January 1.