Peter Johnston, the former chief of Teslin Tlingit Council, will be acclaimed Grand Chief of the Council of Yukon First Nations later this month.

Nominations for Grand Chief closed late Tuesday afternoon, and Johnston was the only candidate to put his name forward.

Johnston, who currently works as aboriginal liaison for Northwestel Inc., will represent nine First Nations in the Yukon and four in Northwest Territories.

“It’s an exciting time for Yukon First Nations, as we need new energy and vision,” outgoing Grand Chief Ruth Massie said in a statement released this morning.

“Our self-governing nations have evolved as the leaders of self-government in this country, and they are recognized and respected for their work.”

Massie, who is a citizen of the Ta’an Kwäch’än Council, is not seeking re-election.

“It has been an honour to represent our people over the past six years and I am thankful for the many opportunities I have experienced,” she said.

“Now it’s time to retire, relax and do other things, like work on my bucket list-which is pretty long,” she said.

“I appreciate my working relationships, and I want to thank our leaders for our strong working relationships we all have. I wish them the success they deserve in strengthening their governments.”

As chief of the Teslin Tlingit Council, Johnston signed the Administration of Justice Agreement with then-Indian and Northern Affairs Minister John Duncan and former Yukon premier Dennis Fentie.

It gave the First Nation powers to make its own laws and run its own justice system.

The Teslin Tlingit Council was the first Yukon First Nation to take over legislative, executive and judicial powers from the territorial and federal governments.

Before he was Teslin Tlingit Council chief, Jonston acted as CEO for the First Nation, from 2009 to 2012.

Johnston has held a number of positions within the Teslin Tlingit Council, including deputy chief and chair of the Investment Committee, and has represented his First Nation on the Teslin School Council.

Johnston also serves as vice-chair of the Yukon First Nation Implementation Fund Trust, and deals with financing economic development in Yukon First Nations, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Neither Johnston nor Massie could be reached for an interview before press time this afternoon.

According to the CYFN constitution, if there is only one nominee for the position of Grand Chief, that person shall be declared the one elected.

Johnston will be sworn in during the CYFN General Assembly in late June.

The ceremony will be hosted by the Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation, and will take at Airport Lake on its traditional territory.