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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - A fifth candidate is about to join the race for MP of the Western Arctic. Former Dene National Chief Noeline Villebrun is running as a member of the First Peoples National Party of Canada, and she could become the dark horse in this already tight race.

Villebrun said her supporters are urging her to submit her nomination papers but for Villebrun, paperwork is the least of her worries.

"Maybe that's how the other parties work but I'm not in a hurry because that's trivial - administration and paperwork - the main thing is when I go out there," said Villebrun.

The First Peoples National Party of Canada ran five candidates in the last federal election. It is unclear how many candidates the party will be running in this election, nomination papers are not due until 2 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 22.

While Villebrun may be at a financial disadvantage compared with the other four candidates, she said she will make up for that with her already tight community connections.

Born and raised in Fort Resolution, Villebrun is a residential school survivor and a passionate community activist. After years of community involvement she eventually worked her way up to become Dene National Chief. Since leaving that post, Villebrun has worked as a consultant and a small business owner.

She wants voters to know, if elected, she will work for everyone, not just First Nations people.

"Remember, when we signed the treaty we agreed they will come up here to the North and they will coexist with us and we will share the land and help one another," she said.

As far as Villebrun is concerned, the problems she wants to address affect all Northerners regardless of their race or creed. Villebrun said she has already been approached by non-aboriginal Northerners who have said she has their support.

She said she would compare the First Peoples National Party of Canada to the Bloc Quebecois, a party that fights for the interests of a specific nation on the national level.

"If these types of forums and organizations are allowed (for other interest groups) then why not first nations people?" asked Villebrun.

She wants to prevent Northern and First Nations issues from becoming lost in party politics.

"It's grass roots issues. We're not governing from the money we receive from (corporate) supporters to ensure that we're following their mandate," she said.

Although some say it is pointless to elect a candidate from a minor party, Villebrun sees it as an advantage. If elected into power, she as an individual would raise grassroots issues in the parliament.

"If one voice can stand up and remind government and parliament to fulfill and honour our treaties we are in the right place," she said.

Villebrun said she feels that she has more experience on a federal level than many of the other candidates, and she wants voters to take that into consideration.

News/North asked Villebrun the same questions put to the other four candidates last week. On the topic of the proposed Mackenzie Valley Highway, Villebrun said she would bring the issue to the table if it was what her constituents requested. However, she also cautioned against the possible harm that could come to isolated communities with a road from the outside.

"We all know the impact of opening an all-weather highway," said Villebrun. She said her great-uncle Alexander King spoke out against the Pine Point Dam and the road that came with it. King was later killed in a vehicle accident on the highway.

"Whose life was taken first? It was his. Isn't that a message?" asked Villebrun.

On the topic of Arctic sovereignty, Villebrun said federal leaders need to work with First Nations who have had sovereignty in the North for thousands of years.

"It's not like it is something new, but because of the way other nations are looking at this issue, they don't understand that First Nations people have sovereignty in the North," she said.