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SAHTU
Reducing the cost of living, boosting infrastructure and finding a sustainable energy supply for Norman Wells will all be big issues for the Sahtu in the territorial election Oct. 3, and voters will have to decide whether two-term MLA Norman Yakeleya is the man for the job.

The construction of the Mackenzie Valley highway to Wrigley, as well as the Bear River Bridge at Tulita, are key projects that would support development and reduce prices in the region, according to Yakeleya.

"If you put $100 on a counter in a store and purchase food off of a list, in Yellowknife you would probably get $40 to $50 back. You do that in the Sahtu and you would probably get $1.50 or $2 back, so you have to make choices with what to buy," he said of the struggles residents face trying to make ends meet.

"You have to save money for electricity, phone bills and things the children need, and your choices have already been limited and you don't get the luxury to purchase more things. The cheque goes down pretty fast."

Yakeleya and Dudley Johnson, mayor of Norman Wells, both agree Nutrition North, which replaced the Food Mail program in April, isn't the solution.

"Basically, people can't see any change or any savings. Even if people ship in all their food themselves, it would be cheaper than what you get in the stores here," Johnson said.

Affordable housing, like in other regions across the NWT, also needs to be addressed.

"In the communities, the youth are left to couch surf," Johnson said.

Yakeleya said the blame for this, as well as other housing issues like high rent, overcrowding and poor conditions, rests with the GNWT.

"We're hoping (the government) will listen to the community and hear what they want to do. It may not fit the government's policy, it may not fit their way of doing business," he said of the Shelter Policy Review, currently being conducted across the NWT.

"If the government takes the plugs out of their ears and listens to the people and hear what they have to say, they might find a solution. We're scratching our heads and saying, 'What's going on?' We're not listening to the people."

Both Johnson and Yakeleya agreed that finding a long-term, sustainable energy supply for Norman Wells will also be on the minds of voters when they hit the polls.

The town of 840 has been in a declared state of emergency since May 6, following a leak in the Rainbow Pipeline April 29.

Yakeleya added that devolution will need to be discussed in the next term of the legislative assembly.

"On the government of the Northwest Territories' side, maybe devolution is the answer, but the aboriginal governments, the way they see devolution is it's not good for them. It's not too much of a good deal," he said.

"When you look at who's signed on, you've got to see that the emperor has no clothes on. It's better to have all partners on side. It's better to slow down and get them on side, take the time to do this, put together a good deal, you know, and work it through."

To date, Yakeleya has been the only person to confirm he will be running to represent the Sahtu in the upcoming election.

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