DEH GAH GOT'IE KOE/FORT PROVIDENCE - When members of the Deh Gah Got'ie First Nation go to the polls this month they will be faced with a vast array of choices.

Twenty-four people are in the running for seven seats on the band's council.

For this election all seven members of the previous council are running again alongside 17 other hopefuls. Berna Landry, who's looking to return as chief, also faces competition this time.

A number of elders encouraged Joachim Bonnetrouge to put his name forward for the position of chief, he said.

"It's kind of an honour and a challenge," he said.

Bonnetrouge, who's currently the project co-ordinator for the Fort Providence Residential School Society, is no stranger to the role. He was chief of the Deh Gah Got'ie First Nation for more than four terms between 1976 and 1991.

The most important issue for the band right now is the members' desire for more accountability, reports and community meetings, Bonnetrouge said.

"I get the real sense people want to be involved in decision making for things happening in our town and for the future," he said.

Using his background in communication, Bonnetrouge said he could meet that need in a number of ways including holding more meetings and inviting people to on-the-land gatherings.

"That kind of stuff really gets me excited," he said, referring to getting people involved and on the land.

Other pressing issues for the band include the Deh Cho Bridge, which needs to be completed on schedule and within budget and the Dehcho Process, said Bonnetrouge.

If the Dehcho Process is going to be completed the rights and benefits laid out under Treaty 11 need to be fully respected, he said. Bonnetrouge would also like to see more on-the-land programs like a harvesters' fund that would allow people to buy equipment to get out on the land.

There are also economic opportunities related to the land including expanding the band's lumber initiative to include building cabins in traditional areas, he said.

With all of these issues demanding attention, Bonnetrouge said one thing he'd accomplish if elected is keeping the agenda simple.

The chief and council should work with the community on the top three or four priorities and provide a progress report within six months, he said.

If he were chief, Bonnetrouge said he would make efforts to be approachable and involve families that don't always feel included.

"Everyone needs to be listened to," he said.

Bonnetrouge said he also wants to continue learning about Dene culture and listening to teachings from elders.

As the incumbent, Landry is a familiar figure in the band's leadership. Landry has served three consecutive terms since July 2003. She also served a term from 1992-94.

Landry said she decided to run again because the band council felt that continuity is important right now, especially while the bridge is under construction.

"I guess they like what I'm doing," she said.She added that a number of elders also told her that she needed to continue in the position because she's gained experience and awareness of the issues. Landry considers healing to be the most important issue facing the band's membership.

"A lot of our members haven't dealt with residential school issues," she said. "We need to talk about it more in an informal setting."

The need for healing is linked to some of the other pressing issues for the band, said Landry.

People need to get back to the land to help them heal. The elders have talked about setting up camps where people could relearn their culture and values as well as traditional skills, she said.

"Our spirituality is also important as we start healing," said Landry. It would be good for people to rediscover spirituality and the previous council talked about building an arbour and a cultural centre to assist with that, she said.

During the current economic slowdown it's also important for members to learn more about economic development. The band needs to develop more revenue sources so they can help residents, she said.

If re-elected, one goal that Landry said she would like to accomplish is working with the territorial government to see the Deh Cho Bridge through to completion.

Landry said she would bring her eight years of experience in the political arena to the position of chief. Her experience includes serving on the Dehcho Executive Committee for the past five-and-a-half years and co-chairing the access and benefits negotiations team.

"It's really challenging. That's what I like," Landry said about being chief.

Landry added she's bilingual and has been sober and leading a healthy lifestyle for approximately 15 years.

The advance polls for the election will take place on June 8 and 12 from 12-6 p.m. at the community hall. The election will be held on June 16 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Proxy forms are available at the band office. A total of 706 Deh Gah Got'ie members are eligible to vote.