Marcel elected as new Chip band chief

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A former trapper, logger and firefighter has been elected chief of the 369 member Chipewyan band at For Chipewyan.

Pat Marcel, 49 and a father of five, was elected at the Dec. 9 election which also saw former chief Archie Cyprien and band member Patricia Lepine elected to council. The third councillor will be elected in a January by-election due to a tie between Charlie Voyageur and Wilfred Marcel.

Although Marcel has not been chief nor council member in the past, his decision to run was not a spur of the moment decision. "It goes back to '81 when I decided I was going to do something," he said.

Marcel left the community and spent the next six years in Fort McMurray where, he quit drinking. "I've now had six year's sobriety," claimed the chief who has no fear of going back to the bottle.

Marcel says that long term housing plans are one of his priorities. He feels this program could involve many of the band members because some of them are already skilled in that line of work.

The chief said he would also like to address small business development and alcohol problems but education is in fine hands he thinks with the recent changes in school control at the local level.

Marcel said it is premature to speak about any other possible priorities because he has not yet had time to investigate the real needs of his people. He is happy that former chief Archie Cyprien is on council to assist in getting him up to date on local issues and concerns. His presence, said Marcel, will help maintain continuity within the council.

The election results were as follows: Chief ? Pat Marcel 47, Pat Mercredi 39, Jim Deranger 22, Arsen Adam 0. Council ? Patricia Lepine 59, Archie Cyprien 39, Charlie Voyageur and Wilfred Marcel 30 each.