Inuvik - Twelve years after first ousting incumbent Fred Koe, Boot Lake MLA Floyd Roland was ready to run in this year's election.

Inuvik Boot Lake MLA Floyd Roland was ready to run in this year's territorial election, but was acclaimed to his position last week. This is the second term that Roland has been unopposed. - Dez Loreen/NNSL photo

But the former mechanic was acclaimed to his fourth term as MLA for the riding as of 2 p.m. on Sept. 7.

"I was called and told that nobody was running for my riding and that I was acclaimed," said Roland.

"There was a lot of talk about me running unopposed again."

Even though the word had been passed on that no one would step up, Roland said he was ready for anything.

"I was told a while back to be ready, because someone could file their papers at the last minute," said Roland.

Roland won his first election race in 1995 and repeated the result again in 1999.

In 2003, Roland was acclaimed to his position after it was clear no one else wanted to take over his role in the assembly.

Since the announcement last week, Roland has already been at work, preparing for the next term.

"I called in already and am working to see what needs to be done right away," said Roland.

"We'll have to wait until the election is over before we can return to our offices."

During the down time, while others are campaigning, Roland will still need to fulfill his dual role as ministers of finance as well as health and social services.

"As ministers, we have to keep going until new names are given," he said.

Roland remembers his first time being elected and the lessons he learned.

"It was Oct. 16, 1995," he said.

During his first term in office, Roland served as a regular member.

"I wanted to go down and learn the ropes," he said.

"I wanted to know how to get the message across to others in the assembly."

Roland also sat on the social programs committee while serving the first time around.

In the second term, Roland served as minister for housing and health and social services.

During his campaign for the second term, Roland had two opponents, who he beat.

During the second term, Roland challenged then premier Stephen Kakfwi for his position.

"There was some controversy there, but I learned the lesson," said Roland.

Roland said he believes that he is reaching his goals and accomplishing what he set out to do.

"It's good for the most part," said Roland.

"The first time is all about learning how the process works."

Roland said that his first priority is Inuvik and the well being of the residents in his community.

"During my first term, we hit some rough times here in Inuvik," said Roland.

He noted that the addictions treatment centre, Delta House, was closing.

"Across the territories, we shut down two of the five existing centres, unfortunately one of them was here in Inuvik," said Roland.

Another of the big projects to come was the new hospital.

"That needed updating and it's fully operational now," he said.

Working with the community, Roland identified that the three education facilities in town also needed to be replaced.

"The college, the high school and the elementary school needed to be fixed," said Roland.

"With the help of community organizations, we have a new college and are building the new schools."

When asked about the moniker given to the new schools, 'the super school,' Roland said that the name has served it's purpose, but a real name will need to be chosen.

"I'm not sure when or how it will be named, but both schools will need an identity," said Roland.

"It's up to the community to decide what they want in a name."

Being seen as a role model in the community is something that Roland appreciates.

Roland said that with determination and education, anyone can reach their goals.

"If I can do this, then anyone can do it," said Roland.

"If you're ready to make changes in your life, you can be almost anything you want."