Christine Grimard
Northern News Services
Published Friday, September 14, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - Power has changed hands for the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, as seven councillors were replaced during elections in Dettah and Ndilo on Sept. 6.

Ndilo saw eight fresh candidates run for this term, in addition to incumbent councillors Cecilia Beaulieu, Phillip Liske and Shirley Tsetta. While Beaulieu and Tsetta were re-elected, Liske didn't make it back.

One of Ndilo's fresh but not forgotten faces is Roy Erasmus Sr., who had previously served as councillor in 1995. Taking 118 votes, Erasmus received the most support among the candidates.

"Largely, I can see that there's a lot of opportunity being missed by our youth," said Erasmus about why he decided to run.

"A lot of people are graduating from high school but not going on to further their education."

Erasmus wants to address this issue by looking at student financial assistance.

He is concerned over the length of time aboriginal students are financed to go to school. Erasmus said that aboriginal students in Alberta are supported for 11 years, while students from the NWT are only allotted six years.

Erasmus also wants to see more high level positions for aboriginal workers at mine sites, and getting the roads paved in Ndilo.

He said he will serve the community this year remotely from Edmonton while he completes his MBA at the University of Alberta.

Coming back onto council, Tsetta is looking to address some outstanding issues she encounters living in the community.

"I'm from Ndilo and we have a lot of community concerns," said Tsetta about why she decided to run again. "I like being in a position where I can help people if I can."

One of Tsetta's primary concerns involves the management of money coming from the Impact Benefit Agreement (IBA). Tsetta brings to council experience working in the IBA office for Akaitcho Treaty 8.

"It really makes me look at how committed the companies are in living up to the agreement and how committed the government is in living up to their agreement," said Tsetta.

Bobby Drygeese is the third returning Yellowknives councillor, switching from his previous Dettah seat to join the group of councillors representing Ndilo.

Sue Heron-Herbert, the returning officer for the election, said approximately 33 percent of eligible voters turned out for the election - a little under the 40 percent who turned out for last month's election for Dettah chief.

Polling stations were set up in community halls in Dettah and Ndilo, and at the Tree of Peace in Yellowknife. Heron-Herbert said there was a mobile polling station that drove around for people who couldn't make it out of home themselves. Advanced polling was also available for anyone not in town last week.