Devon Felker was as surprised as anyone to find out he was elected chief of West Point First Nation.
At age 26, the emerging leader said news of his victory is still sinking in.
"It blows my mind," he said. "I'm still trying to process everything right now. I didn't find out until 7 [p.m.] and I was showing my girlfriend a video game she wanted to play, so I didn't really process any of it."
The significance dawned on him the following morning.
"But then I woke up and saw all the posts. I can definitely feel the weight on my shoulders now," he admitted.
After polls closed on July 3, Felker prevailed with 25 votes out 45 votes cast and 77 ballots issued SA国际影视传媒� taking over 50 per cent of the vote SA国际影视传媒� and he did it without even campaigning.
Instead, he relied on his reputation in the community as the housing coordinator and his work editing video for the Dehcho Youth Energy Council, as well as his five years as a councillor for the First Nation.
Felker said he had already planned not to run for council again to let others learn the role, but was asked if he would be interested in the top job by a fellow resident who wanted to nominate him.
He's been a regular attendee at government meeting for as long as he can remember.
"Ever since I was a baby, my mom was bringing me to leadership meetings and assemblies across the region," he said. "You'll see me... in photos from ages ago in black and white.
"I've been around leaders my whole life. I've known pretty much all the grand chiefs as they've come up."
His mother won't be too far away either SA国际影视传媒� of the four councillors acclaimed to office, his mom Karen Thomas (Felker on the ballot) was among them.
When he's not governing, dealing with housing issues or editing video, Felker said he enjoys building drones and racing snowmobiles.
"Most people know me as Toasty Garlic Bread," he said.
In his new role, "Chief Toasty" SA国际影视传媒� as he's already been nicknamed SA国际影视传媒� said he wants to build on his efforts in housing, particularly looking to developing a Northern-ready, ecologically-friendly housing standard. One that is built to last.
"I'd like to see more clean energy tech brought up here and tested to see if you get the same results as down south," he said. "Canada's building standard is built on regions where it's a lot warmer.
"Usually, you'll get a modular home brought into the North and they don't last that long in the cold weather. So, ideally, we could get a home that, as long as the homeowners are taking care of it, it should last them for a couple generations. It would be awesome to have homes that are a lot more long-lasting than the ones First Nations were given."
First on Felker's agenda is a series of meetings. He said he wants to speak with Elders to get their take on current events and what needs to be changed to improve things.
After that, it's reaching out to the membership at large, including those spread across the NWT and Alberta.
Felker expressed his thanks for the confidence of the community and his appreciation for the encouragement he's received so far.
"I'd like to thank my mom and all the great mentors that I've had," he said. "I've had a lot of Elders telling me good things and just pumping up my tires and making me want to keep doing what I'm doing.
"It's really putting the wind into my fire."
