2 challenge Carvill for Council of Yukon First Nations' top job

Delegates at the general assembly of the Council of Yukon First Nations have decided to move up the election of their grand chief to Tuesday, a day earlier than planned, to attend the funeral of a well-respected elder before resuming business on Thursday.

Members voted Tuesday morning to change the agenda of the annual meeting, to hold the election for grand chief later in the day instead of Wednesday, CBC reporter Leonard Linklater said from Lake Laberge.

Two women have put their names forward to challenge incumbent Andy Carvill for the grand chief's job. Carvill has been grand chief since 2005.

Whitehorse lawyer Victoria Fred and longtime CYFN employee Brenda Jackson have both said it's time for change at the council, which represents 11 First Nations across the Yukon and four Gwich'in councils in the Mackenzie River Delta region of the Northwest Territories.

Delegates voted to take a break on Wednesday, in part to accommodate the funeral of John Adamson, 91, a Gwich'in elder and veteran of the Second World War.

Adamson's death is among several deaths to hit Yukon communities recently.

Assembly members will then reconvene on Thursday to discuss proposed restructuring of the council, which is expected to be a major issue at the annual assembly.