Incumbent, two challengers seek grand chief’s position

Andy Carvill, the Council of Yukon First Nations' (CYFN's) grand chief, will face two challengers in June's election for the top spot.

Andy Carvill, the Council of Yukon First Nations’ (CYFN’s) grand chief, will face two challengers in June’s election for the top spot.

When nominations closed Monday afternoon, lawyer Victoria Fred of the Kwanlin Dun First Nation and Brenda Jackson, the CYFN’s human resources manager and a member of the First Nation of Nacho Nyak Dun, joined incumbent Carvill, of the Dakh-ka Tlingit Nation, on the ballot.

Kwanlin Dun is not a member of the CYFN.

Carvill was first elected in 2005 after then-grand chief Ed Schultz vacated the post to unsuccessfully run for the leadership of the Yukon Liberal Party.

According to CYFN election rules, to be nominated, potential candidates must get signed support from a chief of a Yukon first nation member of the   CYFN.

The election will take place at the CYFN’s annual general assembly, to be held at Helen’s Fish Camp at Lake Laberge from June 24 to 26.

Those eligible to vote are a chief and four delegates from each of the CYFN’s 15 member first nations. Historically, delegates have been members of the respective councils.

To win, a candidate must secure a 60 per cent majority of votes.

If the leading candidate does not receive 60 per cent on the first ballot, the candidate with the fewest number of votes is removed for subsequent ballots.

If only two remain, voting will continue until one candidate gets 60 per cent support.

None of the three candidates was available for comment this morning.