Gladys Norwegian is the new grand chief of Dehcho First Nations

Gladys Norwegian of Jean Marie River, N.W.T., is the new grand chief of the Dehcho First Nations.

Norwegian won the vote 25 to 23 against Arnold Hope of Fort Simpson on Tuesday evening. She will be the first female to take on this leadership role.

A vote earlier Tuesday was tied 24-24, with three spoiled ballots. The second vote was held later in the evening.

Incumbent Dehcho First Nations Grand Chief Herb Norwegian was not on the ballot when delegates voted for a new grand chief Tuesday afternoon at their assembly in Wrigley, N.W.T.

Delegates voted in favour of keeping just two names on the ballot: Gladys Norwegian and Hope. The decision was made after lunch. There was no discussion, just a motion from the elections committee and a vote.

Herb Norwegian was late filing his criminal records check, which is a mandatory part of the elections process for all candidates.

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He said he was disappointed by the lack of discussion.

"I thought I would have a chance to appeal," he said just minutes after witnessing the vote. "Delegates told me to come here and appeal and to speak to the assembly. It's not my fault. It's a technical thing and as far as I'm concerned I met all of the requirements."

The incumbent grand chief brought copies of his records check, but Richard Lafferty, the chair of the elections committee, told the assembly it was "incomplete."

Under the Dehcho First Nations election rules, when an incumbent grand chief plans to run for re-election, he must give up his job for a month before the election and an acting grand chief is appointed. Jean Marie River Chief Stanley Sanguez has been the acting grand chief.

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Herb Norwegian said Tuesday afternoon that he did not plan to stay for the rest of the assembly.

"There would not be any need for me to hang around. I'm out of the loop now," he said.