The candidates: Deh Cho

Election day in the Northwest Territories is Oct. 1, and CBC North is working to bring you all the information you need to cast your ballot. As candidates were announced, CBC provided each an opportunity to answer a questionnaire tackling a wide range of subjects, from their own qualifications to themes impacting their riding and the territory as a whole.

Read their responses below, presented in the order they were received by CBC.

• Michael Nadli
• Ron Bonnetrouge

Some answers have been edited for brevity and clarity.

Michael Nadli

Why did you decide to run for office?

I got involved with politics about 20 years ago, because I could put my education to use by standing up for justice and being an advocate for Dene.

I would like to continue my work with the GNWT(Government of the Northwest Territories) and Deh Cho communities in the effective delivery of public infrastructure and programs and servicesfor constituents and communities.

What previous experience will you bring to therole of MLA?

I not only have previous experience, but effective skills in buildingconsensus among people. Having said that, I have a diversity of experiences working at the community, tribal, and territorial and national levels, with governments and Aboriginal organizations. I have an understanding of leadership and how it plays a pivotal role in organizations.

What is the accomplishment you are most proud of?

Bringing to attention the housing needs on the K'atl'odeeche reserve and wading through layers of jurisdictionto open a housing association office on the reserve.

What do you think is the biggest issue facing the territory?

There is a real economic need for jobs and businesses, so the economy. However, there is equally a need to address social issues, such as the rates of alcohol and drug addiction, rates of family violence, education, and health, as some examples.

We have seen the push for the economy while neglecting social issues and therefore, I believe we have to take a socio-economic view in addressing the needs of the N.W.T.

What is the biggest issue in your riding?

A need for jobs, housing and education.

If you could accomplish only one thing while in office, what would thatbe?

Help settle the outstanding lands, resource and self-government agreements.

What would you like to see the territory do to address the impactsof climate change?

Recognize indeed we have a problem and address it.

What would you change about how the government currentlyoperates?

Governments functions at three levels: executive, legislative, administrative. I would like to see continued collaboration with Aboriginal governments on legislation and the development of regulations and policy.

What do you think the GNWT must do to improve and protect the territory's economy?

As I previously stated, we need to take the view of socio-economics and continue diversifying the economy, with a caution of not creating Crown corporations.

What would you do as MLA to improve the GNWT's relationship with Indigenous people?

The relationship should be based on empowering Indigenous Governments.

If elected, would you seek a cabinet position?

Yes.

Would you like to be Premier?

No.

• Back to top

Ron Bonnetrouge

Why did you decide to run for office?

I decided to run for MLA for the Deh Cho riding to be a true representative and voice of the people in addressing their concerns and issues. What I am alluding to is making the constituents feel that their concerns are important to me and that they will be addressed and whatever the outcome, I will report back to them. This will ultimately build the trust that is required in order to truly represent the constituents.

What previous experience will you bring to your role of MLA?

My previous experience that I will bring to my role as MLA is all the leadership experience from all the many years being on different councils in my community. Growing up and living in the community, you get the sense of all the issues that our people face dailywhether these be social, health, housing, recreation, education or a myriad of other issues.

The issues don't change, but the system of providing the necessary actions does, and most are too onerous for our people to comprehend. Don't complicate the matter. Keep it simple.

What is the accomplishment you most proud of?

The accomplishment that I am most proud of is being part of the Deh Cho Process in a leadership role as Chief of the Deh Gah Gotie First Nations. Along with the other leaders, we were able to convince the people in signing the Interim Measures Agreement. This provided safeguards to lands identified to be withdrawn from any development in the course of negotiating a final agreement.

It was gratifying to be at the table with the other leaders in addressing the many issues that faced us at the time.

What do you think is the biggest issue facing the territory?

There is no one single issue that is bigger than the other. Of course, the shortage of funding is at the heart of many of the issues as you need money to create jobs. Climate change is another challenge that is nowfront and centre. We still have social issues such as health and housing to contend with. There are many challenges facing our territory.

What is the biggest issue in your riding?

One of the current issues now is the state of education in our small communities. The students are not meeting the grade level requirements for colleges and universities. As leaders, we have always stated that education is the key to success. Have we ever had frank discussions on the state of education in our communities?

If you could accomplish only one thing in your office, what would it be?

To address the state of education in our small communities.

What would you like to see the territory do in the area of climate change?

We need to educate more people in the communities so everyone understands the grave situation due to climate change. I note that all conferences are held in a large centre,leaving the majority of the population of the communities "out in the cold," so to speak.

What would you change in the way the GNWT operates?

I would need to understand the full functionality of the government and its operations in order to answer that question. What you see from the outside may be different that what is actually happening on the inside.

What do you think the territory should do to improve and protect the economy?

There is no other economic driver besides the diamond mines right now. Let's hope they find more diamondbearing pipes and the supply and demand is there. There is talk of opening up for other minerals and hope they will be at the grand scale as the diamond mines.

What would you do to improve the GNWT relationship with indigenous governments?

When you look at the map of the Northwest Territories that outlines the major ethnic Indigenous groups, you can clearly see who the GNWT should be working for and working with.

Give the Indigenous groups an offer they can't refuse. This may be the driver for economic prosperity for all!

If elected, would you seek a cabinet position?

I will have to confer with the leadership of my riding.

Would you like to be Premier?

Not at this time.

• Back to top