New Gwich'in grand chief election on hold, pending judicial review

An N.W.T. Supreme Court judge has removed Ken Kyikavichik from his role as Gwich'in Tribal Council grand chief, pending a review of the Gwich'in board of directors' decision to call a new election.

The decision effectively presses pause on the new election until a judicial review of the board's decisions is completed.

It is not yet clear when that will happen.

The court application was brought forward Wednesday afternoon by Frederick (Sonny) Blake Jr., who won last month's grand chief election with 604 votes, beating Kyikavichik, who received 515 votes.

On Tuesday, the board of directors for the Gwich'in Tribal Council (GTC) overturned the results of that election after Kyikavichik filed a complaint. The board found Blake had violated the council's election bylaw and policy, even though an elections committee comprised of returning officers for Gwich'in communities cleared Blake of wrongdoing.

On Wednesday afternoon, Kyikavichik said the N.W.T. Supreme Court decision means he can no longer act as grand chief and an acting grand chief will need to be appointed.

"Although disappointing, I do respect the decision by the court," Kyikavichik wrote in a Facebook post.

He said the matter came before the court too soon for him to secure legal representation.

He added he expects it to be at least late October before the judicial review happens.

In an emailed statement, the GTC's board said it "will comment once the decision is officially released by the court."

CBC has reached out to Kyikavichik and Blake for interviews.