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LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - Choice is something members of Liidlii Kue First Nation (LKFN) will have a lot of when they fill in their ballots on June 12.

Five people are running for chief in Fort Simpson including Keyna Norwegian, who's completed two consecutive terms.

Norwegian was first elected in 2003 while running against seven other candidates. She was chosen again in 2006 over two other members. An additional 22 candidates are also vying for the eight seats on the band council.

Seven members of the previous council are seeking re-election. The election will be held at the recreation centre on June 12 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Deh Cho Drum provided the candidates for chief with three questions. Their answers, along with a short biography, are printed below.

Question 1: What is the most pressing issue right now for LKFN, and what should be done about it?

Question 2: What is one thing you would like to accomplish if elected?

Question 3: What do LKFN's band members want from the chief and council?

Jim Antoine

Antoine was born and raised at Rabbitskin River and Fort Simpson.

He attended the University of Wisconsin and the University of Lethbridge, where he studied management.

Antoine served as the chief of LKFN from 1974-77, 1979-85 and 1989-91. He was the MLA of the Nahendeh riding from 1991-2003, during which time he served as premier from 1998-99; chaired several standing committees and was the minister of several departments and secretariats.

Antoine is fluent in Slavey and supports traditional culture and language. He is currently running Jim Antoine Consulting.

1. "... the Dehcho Process, our culture and language, economic opportunities and jobs and social issues ... People need to have input into the negotiations ...

Far too many important issues are being discussed without input from members of all Liidlii Kue people."

2. "One thing I would like to accomplish if elected is that I did the best that I can with my working experience, knowledge and abilities and that I passed on my knowledge through advice to help our future young leaders."

3. "I believe that LKFN would like the chief and council to work for them. Firstly, they would like to be informed about what the council is doing... Secondly, all members of LKFN want to be involved and included in all decisions that will affect their lives."

Arnold Hope

Hope was born in Fort Simpson and has lived in the village all his life.

Hope was on LKFN's band council in the 1970s and has served on a number of other boards including the Worker's Compensation Board for eight years in the 1980s and the boards for the Native Communication Society and the NWT Power Corporation.

He spent 12 years with the territorial government as the program manager for the NWT Housing Corporation in Fort Simpson. He's also a heavy equipment operator.

1. "The most pressing issue for LKFN right now is a definite need for a change of leadership. "There is a strong lack of accountability and credibility on the part of the current chief, which imparts a showing of weakness for the entire First Nation."

2. "We need to prove to and let the federal government know we are the owners of this land. The lands are the foundation for being who we are."

3. "The members of this First Nation need to know that they are being acknowledged and being listened to. They also need to know what is happening on a regular basis.

In essence they want to be communicated to."

Keyna Norwegian

Norwegian has a long history with LKFN. In 1999 she sat on the board for Nogha Enterprises Ltd.

In the 2000 band election Norwegian ran as a councillor and after receiving the most votes was made sub-chief. Norwegian was elected as chief in 2003 and again in 2006.

During her time in office she has held a variety of other positions such as being a member of the executive for the Dene Nation and Dehcho First Nations and chair of the access and benefits committee for the Mackenzie Gas Pipeline.

1. "...social problems which includes housing, education, alcohol, drugs and health.

"We as a First Nation made a treaty with the Crown in 1921 and those issues were a promise to our people that they would be provided. I will continue to negotiate with the Dehcho Process to bring back those agreements..."

2. "I would like to accomplish and to continue to make LKFN self-sufficient so we can hold programs without government restrictions. I would also like to build a gathering place with a new office on our empty lot."

3. "LKFN's members want a healthy lifestyle leader that's a good role model ... strong vocally and well informed ... honest and transparent ... cares about the land and believes in the treaty. I believe that I hold all those qualities and will continue to uphold those values."

Judy Sabourin

Sabourin was born in Fort Simpson and has lived in the village her whole life.

She received a diploma in management studies for business administration in 1996 and an environmental monitoring certificate in 2008, both from Aurora College. Sabourin served one term on LKFN's band council from 2003-06. She was also the lands administrator with the band for approximately six years.

1. "...dealing with the oil and gas companies' plans to build a pipeline through the Deh Cho. It's been discussed previously where chief and council advised the companies to speak directly with members affected.

"What the families decided should be respected."

2. "...ensuring employment for membership, this will take careful thought and planning, education, training and commitment from members, chief and council and administration.

Employment is important these days, living within the community to keep the bills paid up."

3. "LKFN band members want reliability, responsibility and commitment from chief and council in dealing with issues affecting membership in regards to our treaty rights and to ensure that fiduciary obligations of federal agencies is in working progress."

Lisa Thurber-Tsetso

Thurber-Tsetso was born in Hay River to Walter and Georgina Thurber. John and Barb Tsetso of Fort Simpson adopted her when she was 11 years old. Since then the village has been Thurber-Tsetso's home.

She has a business administration certificate and is currently enrolled in Athabasca University studying for a bachelor of commerce through distance education.

Thurber-Tsetso is currently employed by the GNWT. Her passion, besides her two children, is to cook for as many people as possible.

1. "The financial status of LKFN is a real issue. Investing instead of spending will help to eliminate the 'we have no funding' issues. "Utilizing our local resources and manpower will help keep our membership thriving."

2. "I would like to see the members' equity actually make it to the membership. The equity attained by LKFN belongs to the members and they should have a say to how it is handled."

3. "I believe all the band members want is to be heard, properly represented and respected as a member. As members, we all have the same equality."

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Candidates for Liidlii Kue band council

Jonas Antoine

Melaw Antoine

Stanley P. Beaulieu

Ernest Cazon

Cindy Browning

Rita Cli- I

Shawn Cli- I

Peter Corneille- I

Dennis Deneyoua

Betty A. Hardisty

Tanya Hardisty

Wesley Hardisty

Steven Jose-I

Felix Isiah

Loyal Letcher-I

Eric Menicoche-I

William Michaud-I

Phoebe Norwegian

Hazel Isiah-Tanche

Josanne Tanche

Sarah Tsetso

Tina Visser

(I=Incumbent)