Paul Bickford
Northern News Services

Hay River (Nov 11/02) - The nominations are in for the Nov. 18 election at West Point First Nation in Hay River.

And the list of candidates is dominated by Cayens, the largest family in the 70-member band.

Former chief Karen Thomas, who had been out of town on a work commitment, unsuccessfully submitted her nomination after the deadline.

She says the elections won't help heal the family divisions in the band.

"The only way I see fairness and equality is if we have all elders sitting on council," she says, explaining the elders could represent the three families making up the band - the Cayens, the Thomases and the Michels.

The membership could select the chief, she suggests.

Thomas will be in Yellowknife this week to discuss the situation with DIAND regional director Bob Overvold and Dene Nation president Bill Erasmus.

She resigned about two months ago, charging nepotism and misuse of funds by council.

Nominated for chief are current acting chief Leon Thomas, Courtney Cayen and Wendy Cayen.

The nominees for the four-member council are Bobby Cayen Jr., James Cayen, Kenneth Cayen, Robert George Cayen, Rosaline Cayen, Sonya Cayen and Lucille Cayen.