Kelly Mcleod, president of the Nihtat Gwich’in Council has been named interim deputy grand chief for the Gwich’in Tribal Council until February of next year.
He’ll be taking over the position from his late sister, Kristine Mcleod, who died unexpectedly in a car accident in August.
Ken Kyikavichik is the Gwich’in Tribal Council grand chief and he’s looking forward to working alongside Mcleod.
Kyikavichik adds although it was a difficult decision to make, Mcleod is the best choice for the position.
He talks about Mcleods ability to unify the Gwich’in people through his sister’s vision.
“Kelly and Kristine share the same values and thoughts about serving our Gwich’in Nation . . . I know that Kelly clearly understands his sister’s vision and what she had planned to accomplish. We are in very good hands until a longer-term decision can be made on the position” he says in a social media post.
Mcleod will assume the role on Nov. 1 and will be responsible for providing executive support to the chief operating officer, Sharla Greenland.
An executive board of 10 people was responsible for choosing Mcleod for the position.
A new deputy grand chief is set to be announced at the Annual General Assembly in February.
