Prince George, B.C. – Dominick Frederick has weighed in on his convincing re-election as chief of the Lheidli T’enneh.

Lheidli T’enneh Chief Dominick Frederick was all smiles today following his election triumph Wednesday – photo 250News

Frederick picked up 64 per cent of the vote yesterday. His closest competitor, Vanessa West, collected 28 per cent.

“I’m very thankful to the community and the members for their support and their vote of confidence,” he said to media today at Lhedli T’enneh Memorial Park. “I’d also like to thank my wife and my family for their support.”

Frederick, who was first elected in 2004, says he’d like to continue to help create jobs and build on what the community has accomplished during his last six terms in office (two-year terms).

“Building the community from the ground up and building our structure for governance,” he said. “For the community and our future generations so that they have a say when it’s their turn to work with what we have left.”

Frederick added he expects a second vote on the treaty proposal presented a decade ago will be going ahead during his next term in office though he doesn’t see it “as a big thing for the band.”

“I think it’s just something that we need to get out of the way and get on with,” he said.

“So, we’re still working with the government of Canada and B.C. and the Treaty Commission to get the ratification over and done with. Either we’re going to do it or we’re not going to do it but it’s up to the community. In a way, it would be a good thing for us.”

Frederick expects the vote – which includes provisions for self governance, land ownership and funding – will be held sometime this year. The first vote was rejected by a small margin in April of 2007.