BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — American Indian activist Chase Iron Eyes says new leadership for the Standing Rock Sioux might bolster efforts to repair relations with county, state and federal officials that were strained during tribally led protests against the Dakota Access oil pipeline.

Dave Archambault, the tribe’s chairman and the face of the protests, lost his bid for re-election on Wednesday.

Iron Eyes is a Standing Rock member who at times clashed with Archambault over protest tactics. But he says he and Archambault shared the same goal and that Archambault represented the tribe well.

John Floberg has been an Episcopal minister on the reservation for 26 years. He doesn’t think the handling of the protests was the main issue in the election. He says incoming Chairman Mike Faith has long been a respected leader on the reservation.