Jessica Gray
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Jan 25/06) - Though Richard Edjericon's campaign headquarters was bustling with more than 40 supporters, it was clear early on that the Conservative Party would not be representing the Western Arctic riding.

Edjericon said he was determined to stay involved in the community and will seek the Conservative nomination in the next election.

"I'll be working with First Nations councils," he said. "We're living in interesting times (in the Northwest Territories)."

Edjericon blames the results on comments made by Liberal candidate Ethel Blondin-Andrew. He said she scared people by saying the Conservatives would take away funding for residential school victims, which is not the case, said Edjericon. "We fought hard to do it; to try," said Edjericon's campaign manager Kirby Marshall. "People were receptive door-to-door."

Edjericon said though winning candidate Dennis Bevington will have more challenges to face as a New Democratic Party Member of Parliament in a Conservative minority government, he said he respects Bevington's dedication.

"(Bevington) has a lot of work ahead of him and, like him, I'm not prepared to give up. I wish him the best of luck."

Conservatives from across the Northwest Territories were glued to the television, watching polls closed and results announced.

Most were volunteers who spent the day just as busy as Edjericon and his campaign manager.

"I was busy picking up elders and families and driving them to the polling stations," said 37-year-old Earl Russell.

Edjericon joined his volunteers and Conservative supporters after a late dinner. Walking in, he shook hands and was congratulated. Looking at the early poll results, all he could say was: "Whatever happens, happens."

Though Edjericon remained calm, he too seemed captivated by the poll results as volunteers scrambled to enter them into the Excel computer program that automatically tabulated results.

By 9 p.m., it was clear. Edjericon had come in third place, with fewer votes than he had hoped. The atmosphere in the room changed from celebratory to conciliatory. And though there was no victory for Edjericon, people seemed to take comfort in the national results with a Conservative minority.