Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Jan 17/00) - Today our recently elected MLAs will chose the person who will lead them and the rest of the people of the new NWT through its first four years.

It will not be an easy job. The person will have to build unity in a place more often characterized by political divisiveness -- divisions between the economically prosperous capital and communities with unemployment rates among the highest in the country, between rival aboriginal groups with unsettled land claims, between aboriginals and non-aboriginals.

News/North asked four prominent Northern leaders to offer their choice of who among the MLAs is the best person to lead the North.

"I've already said it -- it should be Jane (Groenewegen, Hay River South MLA)," said Cece Hodgson-McCauley from Norman Wells.

"If it wasn't for her, that whole Morin thing would have been swept under the rug," said McCauley, referring to the conflict-of-interest hearing that led to the resignation of premier Don Morin.

McCauley, the founding chief of the Inuvik Dene band, and an honourary chief for life, said Groenewegen will supply what the NWT needs most, strong and honest leadership.

Fort McPherson's Wally Firth said among the MLAs he knows, Yellowknife Frame Lake representative Charles Dent, entering his third consecutive term, has the right stuff for premier.

"I think it's important that the person has good support in their constituency, but the number one thing is experience," said Firth, a former Member of Parliament.

"I think he's a pretty fair chap. He's level-headed and he's got the experience. He grew up with politics -- his father was mayor of Edmonton."

A plan for the North is the key qualification Hay River Mayor Jack Rowe is looking for in an NWT leader.

"What I'm looking for is somebody with a bit of a vision for the North ... a vision that involves the whole North," said Rowe.

"We need people like the Brian Tobins out there, marketing their province to the rest of the world."

Rowe said he did not know which MLA would be best for the job. Whoever was chosen must build confidence in those doing business here and those thinking about doing business here, said Rowe.

In addition to creating new opportunities, Rowe said an effective premier will be essential to taking full advantage of existing opportunities in the diamond and gas industries.

"We've spent the last year, after the inquiry, really doing nothing," said Rowe.

Speaking of the conflict of interest inquiry, again, Groenewegen is also Bill Laferte's pick for premier.

"I think we need somebody who has the courage to stand up for the decency of people, and tell it like it is -- that person is Jane," said Laferte, one of two candidates who failed to unseat former premier Jim Antoine in the Nahendeh riding during the December election.

Laferte said natural leadership and an ability to look beyond the interests of any one group are the way he measures who is best for the job.