LAKE LABERGE - Grand Chief Andy Carvill was re-elected Tuesday to a second consecutive three-year term as head of the Council of Yukon First Nations ( CYFN).

The former chief of the Carcross-Tagish First Nation was selected on the second ballot by the 60 voting delegates attending CYFN's annual general assembly on the shores of Lake Laberge at Helen's Fish Camp. The assembly is being hosted by the Ta'an Kwach'an Council.

Carvill barely missed the victory on the first ballot after receiving 33 votes - three shy of the required 36 - compared to 19 for Victoria Fred and eight for Brenda Jackson.

Jackson was removed from the ballot and results of the second go-around gave Carvill 39 votes to Fred's 21.

The grand chief was choked with emotion as he began his acceptance speech with his family at his side.

"I have not been moved like this for many years," Carvill said. "I am humbled, truly humbled and honoured to serve out another term.

"I am your grand chief, and I am proud to stand before you and say that."

The council's 28th assembly moved the election up a day and cancelled meetings today in respect of the late John Adamson. The well-known native elder from the Lake Laberge area died last week, and his funeral took place today.

The second and final day of meetings is scheduled to resume tomorrow, with the focus on a proposal to restructure the CYFN.

Tuesday's business was centred almost entirely around the election. The day opened with a motion to reduce the number of votes afforded to the four Gwitchin first nations from the Northwest Territories.

The motion, put forward by the Southern Tutchone Council, suggested the N.W.T. first nations be reduced to one vote each instead of the normal five votes for each member first nation. With little resistance, the motion was passed. The N.W.T first nations joined the CYFN several years ago.

Each of the 11 Yukon first nations belonging to the organization had five votes. There was one for the honourable elder and one for each of the four chiefs from the N.W.T.

Following Carvill's thank-you address, chiefs and other delegates took turns offering congratulations, and praise to all three candidates for running.

"It has been a long road for both of these ladies, and I really appreciate the time you have taken," said Chief Diane Strand of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations.

"You don't have to be elected to be a leader," added Vuntut Gwitchin Chief Joe Linklater. "I want to congratulate all of the candidates."

In his campaign speech to the delegates prior to voting, Carvill promised a reinvigorated central organization with an emphasis on reaching out to all Yukon first nations, even the three who are not members: the Kwanlin Dun First Nation of Whitehorse, the Ross River Dena Council and the Liard First Nation of Watson Lake.

He said the CYFN's proposed restructuring will make it more effective and efficient.

There is a need to strengthen the bond between first nations on a government-to-government basis, he said.

Carvill said the council's focus and priorities need to be driven by the communities, and not the Yukon government and Ottawa.

There are scores of issues affecting the health of the Yukon's aboriginal citizens which are bombarding first nations and need addressing, Carvill said.

He told delegates the council would help the White River and two Kaska nations of Ross River and Watson Lake deal with unsettled land claims.

A stronger presence in Ottawa is needed to ensure the federal government lives up to the agreements it has with the 11 first nations with land claim and self-government agreements, he said.

"I am here to confirm that I am committed and focused on serving another term," he said. "We have come a long way. We are resilient people, but we still have a ways to go."

Carvill invited his co-candidates to continue working together after the election, regardless of the outcome.

In their congratulatory words to Carvill, Fred and Jackson said they would hold the grand chief to his invitation.

Jackson said for the past three years she has worked with Carvill as a CYFN employee.

"In the next three years, I look forward to new programs and new initiatives to meet the needs of out first nation people."

Prior to voting, delegates questioned the candidates on a wide range of issues. They ranged from health, to the environment, restructuring, to the role of women in leadership positions, unity, to issues surrounding economic development.

Chief David Johnny of the White River First Nation asked for a commitment to assist White River in achieving some form of self-governing arrangement with Ottawa.

White River is the only one of the 11 Yukon first nations which belong to CYFN that is without a land claim or self-government agreement.

"We need to look at ways to address these issues together, and I am committed to helping our people," Carvill promised in his victory speech.