Sarah Holland
Northern News Services

NNSL (Sep 06/99) - The new Northwest Territories now has its first senator.

On Sept. 2, Nick Sibbeston of Fort Simpson was appointed to the Senate by Prime Minister Jean Chretien.

"I feel so humbled and honoured that I would be able to represent the North," says Sibbeston.

"I look forward to representing the Northwest Territories. I always speak of the North in a very passionate way, and I will be available to the people of the North and represent them on any issues that may arise."

After graduating from Sir John Franklin high school in Yellowknife, Sibbeston received his Bachelor of Arts and Law degrees from the University of Alberta.

Sibbeston did a four-year term on the Northwest Territorial Council and served for a number of years on the NWT Legislative Assembly, six of which were in Cabinet and two years as the government leader.

Since leaving territorial politics, Sibbeston has worked for the Government of the Northwest Territories as Justice Specialist and was a public administrator for the Deh Cho Health and Social Services Board. He was also a cultural advisor and Slavey language advisor for the Canadian television program North of 60.

"Congratulations to Nick for being chosen by Prime Minister Chretien to sit in Parliament's upper Chamber," said Western Arctic Member of Parliament Ethel Blondin-Andrew.

"The North is fortunate to have an abundance of talent to chose from and I share the prime minister's confidence in Senator Sibbeston.

"His experience in the North, as well as his work on various national issues, will be put to good use in the Senate."

Premier Jim Antoine also congratulated Sibbeston.

"Nick Sibbeston is an excellent choice to be the senator for the new Northwest Territories," said Antoine.

"I know him to be dedicated to the preservation of the NWT's languages and cultures and committed to the future of this territory. This, combined with his experiences as an MLA and government leader, his work in the fields of community justice, health care and social services, equip him to be a well-rounded representative of the NWT in the Senate."

The new Northwest Territories has been without a senator since the April 1 division, as former NWT Senator Willie Adams is now representing Nunavut.