BC

KAMLOOPS, B.C. - Members of the Tk'emlups Indian Band have given their chief a fourth term in office.

Shane Gottfriedson was re-elected with 250 of the 353 votes cast in a band election on Saturday, well ahead of his two rivals.

Gottfriedson has been chief of the Kamloops-area band for nine years.

He says his top priority going forward will be land claims negotiations and continued economic development for the community of about 1,000 in the B.C. Interior.

The swearing-in ceremony for the chief and council will be held Tuesday.

Tk'emlups voters also chose four new members of the band council and returned three others to council.