Stan Dixon was elected chief of the Sechelt Indian Band Feb. 26 by a margin of 29 votes.
He said his priorities as chief will be to move forward on building a new gymnasium behind St. Mary's Hospital, streamline the band's daily operations, hold regular meetings with elders and work on economic development and education.
The band's land claim is lower on the priority list.
"The band had a referendum [on whether to go to court over the land claim] with a very weak showing," said Dixon.
Dixon said the referendum results were 110 votes in favour of going to court and 26 against.
"That's not a valid enough reason for me to go out and spend $10 million [on legal fees]," said Dixon.
One hundred and fifty-five band members voted for Dixon as chief, while the other candidate, Barbara Jean Joe, received 126 votes.
A third candidate for the chief's office, former chief Calvin Craigan, withdrew his candidacy because of business and family responsibilities.
"I'd like to thank everyone for voting for me: concerned citizens, elders and a few personal friends who worked hard to see me elected," said Dixon. "This was the largest turnout to a Sechelt Indian Band election in history, and I won."
Garry Feschuk, who has served as chief for the past 12 years, was elected to the band council with 208 votes. The other councillors elected were Keith Julius with 152 votes, former chief Thomas Paul with 182 votes and Marita Paul-Franke with 119 votes.
"I really have faith in this council," said Dixon. "Garry is an ex-chief, Tommie Paul is an ex-chief, Keith is a former councillor, and Marita Paul is an incumbent councillor. With all that experience, I can take two weeks off and go to Hawaii."
In a brief interview at the band office Feb. 28, Feschuk said he decided not to run for chief again because he wants more time to spend with his new grandchild.
"I'm still a leader of our people," said Feschuk.
Dixon spent his early childhood living at a remote Jervis Inlet village with his grandparents. He attended residential school in Sechelt and Mission City, then graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas high school in North Vancouver in 1960.
Dixon publishes Kahtou, a First Nations newspaper. His business ventures have included a trucking business and a fitness centre on the Trail Bay waterfront. In his leisure time, he lifts weights, jogs and spends time with his wife Lori, their extended family and friends. He is a fan of rock and roll music, particularly Elvis.
Dixon has had a long political career. He was chief when the Sechelt Indian Band achieved self-government in 1986. He served several terms on the District of Sechelt municipal council in the 1990s. In 2001 Dixon was elected to the Sechelt Indian Band council and is the band's representative on the Sunshine Coast Regional District board.
