Salt River First Nation chief Frieda Martselos is now the fourth candidate to enter the race for South Slave's Thebacha district in October's territorial election.
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The longtime chief announced her desire to win the legislative assembly seat in a letter sent to media Tuesday evening. She joins three other candidates vying for the seat, including: Louis Sebert, the incumbent and cabinet minister seeking a second term; Denis Yuhas, a former constituency assistant to the previous MLA, Michael Miltenberger; and Fort Smith publisher Don Jaque, who previously tried for the seat in 2015.
Her brief letter, addressed to residents of Fort Smith, states: "I believe Fort Smith needs a strong, proven leader with the skills and experience to achieve your mandate -- a leader with compassion, excellent communication skills, and record of positive results."
Martselos told Salt River First Nation members and council in a letter dated Aug. 18 that she would be stepping down as chief Aug. 30.
Martselos was first elected chief in a by-election in 2007, enduring a bumpy ride on band council at least the first few years. After her win in 2007 she was ousted by band council a week later. She regained the job in 2008 after a court ordered her reinstated, and managed to return to office after two other attempts to remove her in 2013 and the following year.