The Little Salmon Carmacks First Nation in Yukon has voted to keep embattled chief Eddie Skookum.

At a special general assembly held Saturday, members cast secret ballots on whether or not Skookum should keep his job.

The chief had been charged in Alaska in 2010 with assaulting his partner, as well as drunk driving.

Members of the First Nation voted 109 to 40 votes on Saturday in favour of keeping Skookum.

Tyrell Vance, 22, voted against keeping the chief, but said he respects the majority's decision.

"I support his decision to become sober and seek counselling and to make himself a better person, and that's very good I think. That's the one strong message he can send as a leader."

Lorraine O'Brien had argued that an assembly in 2010 on Skookum's leadership was unconstitutional. But she said Saturday's meeting marked a turning point.

"The meeting was actually very positive… it looks like everything is going to work out."

Many members, including some who sought Skookum's resignation, say it's time to heal divisions in the community.

Skookum will finish his mandate, but he said he hasn't decided whether he'll run for re-election next year.

The decision to hold the weekend vote stems from a public outcry after an elders' council in the First Nation declared that the chief should stay on.

A group of citizens was going through the process of appealing that decision in the Yukon Supreme Court. Both parties agreed to resolve the issue with the special general assembly this weekend.