'I'm moving forward,' says re-elected Salt River chief

A day after being re-elected for a third termas chief of the Salt River First Nation in Fort Smith, N.W.T., Frieda Martselos said she wants to move past years of political infighting within the First Nation.

Martselos received 180 votes in Monday's bandelection,with 157 votes secured by opponent David Poitras.

"I'm moving forward," Martselos told CBC News on Tuesday. "I'm going forward with the members of Salt River, and I am so proud of the members of Salt River.

"They did the right thing, and I will make sure that I will do the right thing."

Members of the Salt River First Nation went back to the polls less than one year after re-electing Martselos in August 2008 after an arbitrator overturned the results of that election.

Poitras had challenged the results shortly after Martselos was elected, accusing her of using smear tactics against him and his supporters during the campaign.

In April, arbitrator Kate Hurlburt agreed with Poitras and ruled a new election had to be held.

'I will support her,' opponent says

Poitras, who lost by only 23 votes, said he does not plan to challenge the election results this time.

"I'm satisfied," Poitras said. "I won the appeal from last August election. I cleared my name and had another election, and she won, I think, fair and square. So I'm ready to move on.

"I accept the results. She's the chief now, and I will support her. I guess I can't say it any more clear than that."

Poitras added that the First Nation now has to come together to heal their wounds and start looking to the future.

In addition to Martselos's win, three councillors were also elected on Monday: Frederick Beaulieau, Brad Laviolette and Gloria Villebrun.

The 850-member First Nation has beendivided by political infightingover the past couple of years.

Shortly after Martselos was first elected chief in 2007, the council at the time voted to remove her from office. A ruling later that year by the Federal Court reinstated her as chief.

Martselos said there's only a "handful" of members who oppose her leadership.

"I'm not going to worry about them," she said.

"I'm not going to let that be a stumbling block to the success of Salt River First Nation. Members are going to be treated with the same respect as they always [were]."