Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Jan 19/00) - Three-term MLA and former Dene Nation president Stephen Kakfwi was elected the premier of the Northwest Territories Monday.

Kakfwi credits Father Pochat for teaching him that fear should never prevent a person from trying to do things."

Following news of his election, Kakfwi accepted congratulations from MLAs and others, walked through the Great Hall, out the front doors and into the -34 C temperatures wearing only his business suit.

Kakfwi made the 40-metre walk to the curb, where he accepted congratulations from his wife, Marie Wilson, who was waiting in a car.

When he returned, Kakfwi reiterated his promise of a more inclusive government.

"There's a lot of uncertainty out there. There are many people feeling neglected, people needing attention," said the Sahtu MLA.

In his third attempt to win the job, Kakfwi ran against Inuvik Boot Lake MLA Floyd Roland. During his speech Roland chose to focus on economics and the assumption of federal powers. Kakfwi, speaking without notes, delivered a more personal account of his goals and reasons for running.

The selection of Kakfwi over Roland was in several ways the signalling of a break with the former government of Don Morin.

Roland was nominated by Tu Nedhe MLA Steven Nitah. Nitah is a friend of Morin's and represents the same riding Morin served in the last assembly.

Morin resigned as premier last year after being found guilty of violating conflict of interest guidelines. As an ordinary member he saved his most aggressive questioning for Kakfwi.

Though Kakfwi did not mention Morin in his speech, he gave a ringing endorsement to MLA Jane Groenewegen, who launched the conflict of interest complaint that led to Morin's resignation.

"Capable, strong, determined, principled people must be given an opportunity to serve," said Kakfwi. "I point her out because, more than anybody, she has put so much on the line in order to serve the public."

Groenewegen later returned the compliment, saying Kakfwi was a man of principles, who did not engage in "situational ethics."

Kakfwi spoke of the pain his previous two failed attempts at winning the premier's job had caused him, his family and friends. In speaking of his fear of losing again, he referred back to his arrival at Grandon Hall residential school.

"I met a man named Father Pochat. That man was my father figure for six years. I was afraid to go there, because of the experience I had had at Grollier Hall. He taught me that fear should never prevent me from trying to do things."

Kakfwi also humbly thanked Dene elder Alexis Arrowmaker for mentioning him by name at the recent signing of the Dogrib Treaty 11 agreement in principle with the federal government.

"This is a man who is very difficult to get acknowledgement from," said Kakfwi. "I want him to know that I noticed it and I want to thank him for it."