Victor York won the chiefdom of the Lower Nicola Indian Band with 10 votes to spare in the band's chief and council election Saturday.

After the initial tally of ballots, York was declared winner in the race at about 11 p.m. at Shulus Hall Saturday night. York received 222 votes while his opponent, Aaron Sam, received 211 votes.

Sam congratulated York with a handshake and York responded with a hug after the winner was announced.

York is a three-time former Lower Nicola chief who has also served a term on council. He was elected chief on his first run for that office in 1993. He is president of the Conayt Friendship Society and works as an addictions counsellor with several Nlaka'pamux bands.

During his campaign, York proposed a comprehensive inventory of Lower Nicola demographics and resources so the band could find the root of problems.

Sam was first elected to the Lower Nicola band council in 2007. He is an attorney who graduated from the University of British Columbia law school.

Incumbent Chief Don Moses praised York on Monday and said his past record indicates York will perform well again.

"Chief York will be a good chief.

"I know him quite well from what he's done before," added Moses, who served on the band council while York was chief.

Band members elected the Lower Nicola council for 2010-13 as well. Seven out of 16 council candidates won seats. According to the initial results, they are: Mary June Coutlee, Stuart Jackson, Harold Joe, Joanne Lafferty, Lucinda Seward, Robert Sterling, and Molly Toodlican. However, a Lower Nicola band staff member said Monday that chief electoral officer Fred Schiffner has yet to release the final election results.

Neither York nor Sam could be reached for comment as of Monday. Check our website for more on this story, including the final election results.