The candidates: Nahendeh

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.Candidate Randy Sibbestonhas not yet responded to the questionnaire, his answers will be added when they are received.

• Shane Thompson
• Mike Drake
• Eric Menicoche

Some answers have been edited for brevity and clarity.

Shane Thompson

• Campaign Facebook page

Why did you decide to run for office?

Five years ago, I was approached to run for MLA,and the residents of the Nahendeh are requesting me to continue the work I have been doing for the last four years. The people have voiced to me that they want a person who will listen to them and take their issues forward and advocate for the people.

I have spent my whole life in the service of the people. As an MLA, I bring this same philosophy to this position. I concluded my first term with a number of projects I was actively working on.I would like to see these projects completed in the next four years.

For me, it is and always will be about representing the people and their voices.

What previous experience would you bring to the role of MLA?

I bring to the table a vast array of experience and knowledge. First and foremost, I have been the MLA for Nahendeh for the past four years.I have also been elected by my peers to be the Chair of the Standing Committee of Social Development, which is responsible for over 60 per centof the government's operation and maintenance budget.

I also attended 98 other Standing Committee meetings to ensure the concerns of the people of Nahendeh were brought forth.

My previous experience includesserving two terms on the Fort Simpson District Education Authority, four years as chair. Over the past thirty years I have served on various community and territorial boards.

I have and still continue to be engaged with youth projects and initiatives on a volunteer basis. A few examples of my service to my community and the Northwest Territories are serving on the Sport North Federation Board and the NWTRPA(NWT Parks and Recreation Association).

I am an active volunteer with Northern Youth Abroad, Competency Based Education Training and High Five.

I have served as a Justice of the Peace for over 25 years which afforded me the skills to listen to all the facts and make an informed decision.This experience was an invaluable asset to my position as MLA.

What is the accomplishment you are most proud of?

To begin with, as the Chair of the Standing Committee of Social Development, we passed 23 bills, including the Corrections Act, Cannabis Act and the Post Secondary Act. This involved reaching out and meeting Northerners to get their viewpoint and bringing these viewpoints together to enhance these bills.

In the past four years, I have dealt with over 780 constituent issues. Many of these issues involved numerous communicationbackand forths with Ministers to provide answers to the issues,In this way, we were able to identify workable solutions.

I would like to discuss a number of highlights in the various communities withinNahendeh. In Fort Liard, I worked toward a solution to the taxation issue and worked with the N.W.T. and B.C. governments to provide specialized medical services to the community.

In Jean Marie River, I secured improvements on the access road, an additional teacher position, and a 20 kilometre chipseal on Highway 1, by the community turnoff. In Sambaa K'e, I advocated for enhancing the winter road, a renovation and addition to the school, and the construction of a new health cabin.

Highlights in Wrigley over my term include working with the education minister on the school issue, addressing band land and housing issues with the GNWT(Government of the Northwest Territories)and federal government and issue that's been ongoing since 1965.

Nahanni Butte saw an additional teacher position in the community, enhancements to the access road, and the addressing of buffalo at the airport.

For Fort Simpson, I worked with the department of health and social services on planning a 48-bed long-term care facility project, and working with the Liidli Kue First Nation and Fort Simpson Mtis Nation on the business plan. I was also involved in developing plans for an LNGplant in the community.

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

With our debt being $1.1 billion andgetting closer to our debt ceilings, we have a number of issues which are interwoven:

• Mines are nearing the end of their life expectancy, which has an impact on our economy.
• The outstanding Aboriginal governmentprocesses, specificallythe Deh Cho and the Akaitcho.
• Witnessing southern companies being awarded large government contracts.
• Housing issues.
• Adjusting to an aging population.

What is the biggest issue in your riding?

Housing.Public housing units havea long waiting list and no new infrastructure is planned.

• We need to work with the federal government to access Indigenous Housing funding.
• We need to work on elder housing. Elders should be able to age in place.For the smaller communities, we need to build four-plexes where elders can be taken care of.
• We need to work with local governments to come up with creative solutions.

Employment is another major issue. We need to develop strategic spending which will stimulate employment opportunities, such as homecare.

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

If I could choose one thing to accomplish, it would be the housing issue. It has a ripple effect on the foundational family ecosystem, along with the economy as a whole.

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

I would like to see the GNWT develop more green projects, such as geothermal, LNG, solar and other creative ways to reduce the demand on diesel. We need to work with communities to come up with a plan that meets their needs and usemodern technology to enhance existing systems.

We have a perfect example in the community of Fort Providence where SSi Energy has developed a system to reduce the use of diesel fuel and utilizewaste heat for their business.

We need to develop a plan wherethere is a fuel rebate at the pumps for residents, so they can continue a traditional lifestyle.

What would you change about how the government currently operates?

When speaking about change, the biggest challenge I have witnessed is the willingness to implement it. Our government has become comfortable with the status quo.

The first thing I would do is have the Finance Minister reach out to Northerners to hear their concerns and ideas on how to improve the GNWT's budget.

Departments need to do zero-based budgeting to eliminate redundancy and duplication of services in the system.

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

Indigenous government processes need to be completed, which creates certainty for industry and investment.

Contracts need to be awarded to northern contractors for the economy to grow and flourish.These contractors are invested not only in the local economy but in our communities as a whole. We also need creative ways to enhance tourism outside of the larger centres.

I believe the utilization of green energy products would enhance the local economy. If you look at geothermal, not only does it operate the power plant, but the heat can be used to heat buildings and greenhouses we build that will allow us to grow our own food.

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

I am very fortunate to be working with and along side a number of Indigenous governments and people in my riding. To me, it is about building positive relationships. I make it a point to sit down and listen to what the people have to say and share.

Building relationships is the cornerstone to serving; which fosters respectful, trusting relationships, which then builds healthier, more productive communities.

I do my utmost to be honest and forthright in working through solutions to constituent issues, and authentic and transparent in the progress I am making. Delivery of authentic service to people is not delivered in lip service or a box that can be checked off. Service to people is not a cookie cutter approach.Personal and professional integrity needto be the guidepost.

If elected, will you be seeking a cabinet position?

Getting elected by the residents of the Nahendeh is my priority, but if I am fortunate enough to be elected, I would be interested in putting my name forward for the ministerial portfolios.

I feel my experience over the last four years would be an asset for a cabinet position. I believe in consensus government and feel we need to implement a processwhereregular MLAs have more of a say in what we are trying to achieve.

Would you like to be premier?

This decision would bedependent upon who puts their name forward in the 19thAssembly. I would like to see a Premier who engages with the residents of the Northwest Territories, challenges the status quo and actively works with regular MLAs on various issues and challenges.

• Back to top

Mike Drake

Why did you decide to run for office?

The main reason would be to help the region move forward. It has been many years since the region has had any major infrastructure projects. I also believe it's time Nahendeh had a seat on the cabinet (none in 15 years) and I believe I have the necessary credentials to be successful.

What previous experience would you bring to the role of MLA?

• Former social worker in the region working with families.
• Past Mayor of Fort Liard (2005-2007).
• Governance advisor with MACA(Department of Municipal and Community Affairs)(2007-2010).
• Regional superintendent of MACA (2010-present).
• Government employee for 28 years.

What is the accomplishment you are most proud of?

While I am not fluent, I have an ever-increasing ability to speak some South Slavey.

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

The fiscal situation is not great. The next group of MLAs and cabinet are going to have a tough time balancing competing interests.

What is the biggest issue in your riding?

Basic infrastructure needing immediate repair. Our highways in the region desperately need some chipseal or better,and that means more GNWT spending inNahendeh. There are many more pressing concerns as well.

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

Well, I don't like to limit my potential accomplishments to only one, there are so many things I would like to help remedy.

There is, of course, the Dehcho Land Claim Process that has been stalled for some time. If I am able to provide any assistance I certainly would. I think the best way I could assist in this area would be to gain a cabinet seat and move the claim agenda forward.

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

Lobby the federal government for the funding needed to address the issue. Community governments are already at their limits financially and this is a cost that's really hard to absorb into their regular budgets. The GNWT may find it difficult to come up with necessary funding as well.

What would you change about how the government currently operates?

If there was an area needing to be changed, I feel the GNWT could do a better job consulting or advising the public. Some departments do a much better job with public consultation than others and I believe consistency would be helpful.

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

A multi-faceted approach is required.This must include partnering with others, like the feds, and of course industry.

We need to create an environment that not only improves the economy but protects the natural environment at the same time.

One of the biggest road blocks to improving the economy in Nahendehis ourinfrastructure deficiencies, specifically our highways.There are also major concerns when looking at acquiring any land for any economicdevelopment, particularly inNahendeh.

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

First and foremost, I will provide equal MLA representation to all Nahendeh constituents.

There have been many improvements to this relationship over the last 10 years or so, things like the implementation of government services officers in many smaller communities has assisted considerably incommunicationto the Indigenous communities in our region. We should continue this type of community-based program and enhance the program even further.

If elected, will you be seeking a cabinet position?

Yes.

Would you like to be premier?

Of course.

• Back to top

Eric Menicoche

Why did you decide to run for office?

The people in our district,Nahendeh, which in our Dene language means "our land," have many questions and the territorial government is not hearing them. Idecided this was the only forum where, when elected, I would speak for them, plus for those who share our land with us.

What previous experience would you bring to the role of MLA?

My elders, grandfathers are from this land. My parents were trappers, and with great sadness they sentme to the residential school at Lapointe Hall when I was six years old,but they saw that their way of life was changing and this was the only way to survive for the future.

The price I had to pay was to be separated from my family and community and lose part of my language. As a young Dene person after finishing my education, I was lost for a long time. Igot into alcohol, and did not care untilmy auntie started taking me to the Indian Brotherhood now Dene Nation meetings and I listened to the elders from different Dene regions.

They kept saying, "we are Dene, and this is our land, and we have been here since time immemorial. We come from strong and proud people."From that moment, I knew who I was and knew what I wanted to do with my life: to work for our people.

I've worked for the GNWT in economic development and justice, trappedfor a few years on my parents' trapping area, helped the band in Simpson to set up a company NoghaEnterprises to do a highway maintenance contract, fire fighting contract, and pipeline work, among other things.

I've done every job out there in my lifetime, and the Dene values that my mother and elders instilled me is prevalent respect. Care, listen, and help people.

What is the accomplishment you are most proud of?

Being Dene and sober for 31 years.

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

Getting an identity. A proper name, instead of N.W.T. Aname from the people of this land.

What is the biggest issue in your riding?

Nahendeh has five smallercommunities plus Fort Simpson.It is not like Yellowknife, where MLAsrepresentthreeblocks each. Each of the sixcommunities has dreams and visions for their people for the future, and for their children, sothey have a good life.

The problem is that there is limited funding from the territorial government and federal government to carry them out.

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

For the GNWT to step away or quit being involved in the negotiations that the First Nations are having with the federal government.

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

Voice our concern,practice what we preach, and start educating our people right from kindergarten.They are our future.

What would you change about how the government currently operates?

I have nothing against the system. It is doing its best to deliver quality services with the budget they have, but the people working within the territorial government system have to remember they are dealing with proud and humble people, thatit takes a lot of energy to ask for help, and they would like to be respected instead of being treated like a statistic.

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

Consultation with the First Nations of this land.

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

To respect and consult and take direction from each First Nation on this land.

If elected, will you be seeking a cabinet position?

No.

Would you like to be premier?

No. As with the last question, I think that the people are more important than being in a higher position.