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Two candidates step forward in the Mackenzie Delta Nathalie Heiberg-Harrison Northern News Services Published Monday, August 15, 2011
To date, they're the only two candidates vying for the spot. Blake said his term as chief from 2007 to 2011 makes him the right man for the job. "You do a lot of different tasks. You work closely with the government, ministers and other leaders. It's a very good experience to have," he said. Connell said his history of community involvement makes him the best candidate. "I've sat on hamlet council for 15 years. I know the issues and I know there is a way to make things work. "There just needs to be someone there to make sure they happen, and I think that's the role of the MLA," he said. Connell, 53, was born and raised in Unionville, Ont., and has spent the last 25 years in the Mackenzie Delta. He currently lives in Fort McPherson, but has also lived in Whitehorse, Fort Smith and in the Eastern Arctic. In addition to working as an adult educator at Aurora College's satellite campus in Fort McPherson, he operates a local recycling depot. His main goal, if elected, would be to bring the role back to the community. "The MLA position can be more of an overseer to make sure the processes are carried out ethically. You can't just go in and introduce all these programs and services and walk away from it, so I think there has to be more of a watchdog," he said. He said he would aim to be more accessible, setting clear office hours and schedules, and report to local councils regularly. Blake, who is 34 and worked as an equipment officer and part-time renewable resource officer prior to his election as chief, said Tsiigehtchic's issues and the Mackenzie Delta's issues are one in the same. The two-term former chief lost his bid for a third to his cousin, Phillip Blake, in Tsiigehtchic's band election June 20. "Housing, health care and education are priorities," he said. He said policy changes need to be made, and the working relationships he has already developed with government officials will be invaluable once elected. "There's always different ways to do things. There are other ways to operate, more efficient ways," he said. Blake said the GNWT has to push harder to recruit doctors and nurses to the North, but also make it easier for people from the North to go down south for training. In addition, he said the ongoing shelter policy review has to address rent scales in public housing. "The rates that people have to pay once they start working are very high, and at times I think it discourages people to get out there and work," he said. "It needs to be changed so that people can actually get ahead." Connell said developing sustainable energy like biomass and promoting tourism in the region would lead to economic growth. In addition, he said training and skill development has to become a priority, so that Mackenzie Delta residents can become more hands-on in developing their own communities. "We need to be part of the process instead of just being spectators," he said. The territorial election is slated for Oct. 3.
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