Devon Felker has been elected chief of West Point First Nation (WPFN), becoming one of the youngest leaders in the Northwest Territories at just 26 years old.
Felker secured 25 of 45 votes in Thursday’s election, defeating former chief Kanneth Cayen, who received 13 votes, and Lucille Lafferty, who received seven.
The band consists of 93 registered members, with 40 living on the reserve in Hay River, according to the most recent federal data from 2023.
“I’m pretty blown away by the confidence my community has in me,” said Felker. “I’m just really grateful and appreciative that I got as many votes as I did.”
Felker, whose phone had been buzzing all day with congratulatory messages, said his family deeply influenced his path to leadership. His mother, Karen Thomas, served as chief from 1998 to 2002.
“I’ve been attending leadership meetings since I was a baby,” he said. “I’d be carried around on her back, or she’d be holding me while they were having negotiation meetings.”
A photo archive of Devon Felker sleeping in the arms of his mother, Karen Thomas, during a Dene National Assembly in Jean Marie River. (Photo courtesy of Devon Felker)
His grandfather, Jim Thomas, has also been a role model and inspiration for him.
A well-respected Elder in the community, Jim has served in multiple roles – as a firefighter, corrections officer, fisherman, and Elder advisor for the Dehcho Process.
“I definitely look up to my mom and my grandpa, they are well-known all across everywhere I go,” he said. “I could only hope to step into their shoes.”
Devon Felker with his grandfather Jim Thomas. (Photo courtesy of Devon Felker)
Felker has been active in the community since 2019, when he was first nominated as a councillor. He currently works as WPFN’s housing coordinator, serves on the Dehcho Youth Energy Council, and has regularly attended regional gatherings and assemblies.
“I’ve learned a lot from going to events as a delegate and from the previous chief, Kenneth Cayen,” he said. “So it’s not like someone totally new stepping in and having to relearn everything that’s been going on.”
Felker describes his leadership style as “open-eared” and focused on community involvement.
“Ideally, the point of being a chief is you take directions from your community,” he said. “You do what the community wants, not what you want.”
He added that with a small membership, it can be difficult to make decisions that satisfy everyone, which is why he is committed to including as many voices as possible.
Felker said his top priorities as a chief include improving housing standards, developing more units, and bringing in more funding for WPFN.
“With such a small membership population, we get different levels of funding compared to other communities – and that’s a big struggle,” he said. “I’m hoping to work through that and continue conversations with the Kátł’odeeche First Nation and other funders to hopefully get more great projects rolling.”
The young chief will be officially sworn in on July 13, joined by councillors Shannon Buckley, Kennath Cayen-Gauthier, Sonya Frise, and his mother Karen Thomas.
“If my mom weren’t on the council, I wouldn’t want to run for chief,” he said. “There’s never been a time in my life when she’s given me back advice about leadership or culture. It’s always good to have her behind my back.”
“My grandparents passed away a couple of years ago, but I’m sure they’re dancing up there in the clouds.”