Skip to content

New head of Sahtu Secretariat

Charles McNeely was acclaimed as the new chair of the Sahtu Secretariat Inc. at the organization’s annual general meeting on Tuesday in Tulita.

Charles McNeely, left, adds his signature in May 2012 to the Agreement in Principle as Grand Chief Frank Andrew and Ethel Blondin-Andrew observe.
NNSL file photo

McNeely says it was a nice vote of confidence in his leadership, this being the first time he’s run for the position after having served on the organization’s board for nine years.

“I enjoy what I’m doing,” he says. “I figure I’ve got enough experience to do the job.”

McNeely represented the Fort Good Hope Metis Land Corporation throughout his years on SSI’s board.

Originally from Fort Good Hope, McNeely worked as a heavy equipment operator on seismic programs for the oil industry in the region.

“Before that, I was kind of living off the land,” he says. “I grew up a hunter and trapper and still am.”

McNeely says he hopes he can help stir some economic activity in the region during his tenure as chair.

“Our economy is kind of down and out,” he says. “We've got to start exploring new options. I believe we have. So that's the, I think that's where we're at right now. There was the oil and gas boom and now that's gone. So now we've got to look for other alternatives.”

McNeely is the first new chair SSI has had in almost a decade. Former MP Ethel Blondin-Andrew stepped down from the role earlier on May 31, after nine years. McNeely stepped in to fill the role in the interim.

Blondin-Andrew was acclaimed as the new director of the Norman Wells Land Corporation on Sept. 4.

The Sahtu Secretariat was formed by the four Dene and three Metis land corporations in the region in 1994 and is responsible for the implementation of the Sahtu Dene and Métis Land Claims Settlement Act.