There is a new face leading the Gitxaala Nation.
Conrad Lewis is the new chief councillor for Kitkatla after defeating incumbent Elmer Moody by a narrow margin in the April 15 general election. Lewis, who currently lives in Prince Rupert, said he will be shifting his attention to Kitkatla.
"The question was posed to me where I would stay, and I've always said I will be where I perceive I am needed the most," he said,
"Right now that is Kitkatla, so I will be spending the majority of my time there. However, if there are meetings that are important to the Gitxalaa here in Prince Rupert I will be here."
Lewis said congratulations from the community and those outside of Kitkatla have been flowing in since the election results were announced, including congratulations from the Hartley Bay council, Skidegate council and councillors from Lax Kw'alaams.
"After the announcement was made I was on the phone until three in the morning with people congratulating me. The next morning people in the village were shaking my hand and when I got back into Prince Rupert, Gitxalaa members I saw were all congratulating me," he said.
"The atmosphere is so positive and we have to enhance that feeling and move toward positive change."
Lewis will be joining familiar faces around the band offices, as all of the incumbent councillors were re-elected, and the new chief councillor is looking forward to getting started.
"There is a 14-day transition period and the swearing-in is scheduled for May 1. After that we will get down to business," he said.