Charlie Williams is the new chief of Ulkatcho First Nation after garnering 139 votes from community members during the Tuesday, April 29 chief and council election.
Joining the chief will be councillors Breanna Charleyboy with 182 votes, Bradley Jimmie with 170 votes, Lorne Cahoose with 157 votes, Corinne Cahoose with 152 votes and Stella West with 147 votes.
"I am honoured to be elected to serve my community as Chief of Ulkatcho First Nation," wrote the new chief in a press release.
Williams has been a longstanding local to the community and has been a councillor for the previous four terms.
"Living here gives me a great understanding of the local issues because I am here and see firsthand struggles we go through," Williams said.
The chief said the nation needs to implement its Five-Year Capital Plan, increase employment and economic development, build a strong language program and have more culture and healing on the land activities.
"Ulkatcho First Nation has achieved so much over the past many years through the leadership of Chief Lynda Price and our former council," he wrote.
Williams also said the nation needs to advance and build its relationships with Artemis Gold through the Joint Partnership Agreement.
The new chief and council got right to work, holding an Oath of Office signing ceremony on Wednesday, April 30 and starting a two-day comprehensive orientation with Wilma Mack, the operations manager and department leads.
The orientation will include briefings from the Ulkatcho Group of Companies Board of Directors, Artemis Gold Executives, the Chunta Board of Directors and the Cariboo Regional District Board area director Tolin Pare.
"Thanks again to the community for your support," Williams said.
