BIA officials said it's now up to the band members to make the change in leadership happen. Lawrence Bear said there would probably be a meeting, but he didn't know when.

Such BIA intervention is rare. However, the federal agency stepped in at the request of band members last month after the three-member executive committee was effectively dissolved when vice chairwoman Lori Bear resigned. The secretary position was already vacant. The lack of an executive committee had effectively shut down the band's government.

On Wednesday, Leon Bear said he accepts the election results.

"I've served the tribe for 10 years," Bear said. "I did my thing, and I think I served them well."

Lawrence Bear, 72, is retired from the Utah Department of Transportation. He is Leon Bear's uncle and has served in the past as chair and vice chair.

For now, he said his priority is simply "getting things together." He said he'll confer with the two other newly elected members of the executive council and work on getting the band's Salt Lake office up and running. While he said he'd work on issues such as building band unity and economic development, he didn't discuss specifics.

Bullcreek said the band's government should also either develop a constitution and bylaws or strengthen its traditional form of government. She added that it's possible the elections could be contested, noting the official change of leadership still needs to take place. Still, she seemed optimistic.

"I'm glad we have gotten to this stage," Bullcreek said. "I feel satisfied with the people who got into these positions."

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Contributing: Suzanne Struglinksi

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E-mail: dbulkeley@desnews.com