Regional chief Mike Smith of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) has been re-elected to another three-year term.

Smith was elected Wednesday by Yukon First Nation chiefs and councillors attending this week’s annual general assembly of the Council of Yukon First Nations being held at Minto Landing.

Also vying for the position were Marian Horne and Connor Whitehouse.

Election rules required Smith to receive at least 60 per cent of the votes.

It’s not clear whether more than one ballot was required as there is no direct communication with the remote assembly site. The media have been barred from attending.

Smith was first elected as regional chief in 2012, a year after he retired as chief of the Kwanlin Dun First Nation, a position he held for three terms.

He was one of the first two aboriginal lawyers in the Yukon and worked closely with the movement to establish recognition of aboriginal rights in the Yukon going back to the 1970s.

Smith also served in the ’80s as chair of the then-Council for Yukon Indians.

In a brief statement Wednesday, Whitehouse congratulated Smith and Horne.

“Over the course of the next few years, I look forward to continuing to work with regional chief Smith at the AFN representing and advocating for youth and young adult interests,” Whitehouse said.

“I also look forward to continuing to work with Marian Horne on initiatives of the Yukon Aboriginal Women s Council.”