Roxanna Thompson
Northern News Services
Thursday, August 16, 2007

Fort Simpson - The race for the position of Nahendeh MLA is heating up with the emergence of a new candidate.

Keyna Norwegian has announced her intention to run for the seat in the upcoming territorial election. She's the third candidate to put her name forward in the riding following incumbent Kevin Menicoche and Bob Hanna.

Norwegian is currently the chief of the Liidlii Kue First Nation (LKFN). After working with the band for seven years, she said it's time for her to try to effect change on a different level.

"I think I've done what I can and I feel I can make a difference in the territorial government, especially as an MLA," she said.

Norwegian said she spent approximately a month considering the decision to put her name forward. A number of residents of Fort Simpson and other local communities approached her to ask if she was going to run in the election.

Norwegian said she took the inquiries as a showing of support from some of the other communities in the riding.

"I just finally made up my mind and said I'd give it a try," she said.

Despite her intention to run, Norwegian isn't immediately giving up her position as chief.

During a band council meeting on Aug. 1, Norwegian said she approached the council to see how they would respond to the idea. The feedback was positive, she said.

Norwegian has been given a month off from her duties to run her campaign for the election. If she isn't voted in she'll return to being chief, but if she's successful she'll resign from the band.

Norwegian is currently in her second three-year term as chief. She started with the band as a sub-chief from 2000-2003. In 2003 she was elected as chief and was re-elected for a second term last summer.

Bob Hanna, who announced his intention to run in early July, raised the idea of holding a public forum where the candidates will be able to speak about their plans. Norwegian said she's in favour of such a meeting because it would give the candidates a chance to tell people exactly what they want to do if elected.

Those interested in running in the Oct. 1 election must return nomination papers to their local election officer between Sept. 3 and Sept. 7.