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Five men vie to be premier MLAs to select next government leader later this monthLaura Busch Northern News Services Published Monday, October 17, 2011
News/North questioned all the candidates about their personal and political backgrounds, what they consider the role of premier to be, and why they are best suited for the job. Michael Miltenberger Miltenberger serves as MLA of Thebacha in the 17th assembly, a role he has filled since 1995. During that time, he has held a host of portfolios, including health, finance, environment and housing.
He moved to the North in 1962, initially to Behchoko - then called Fort Rae - before settling in Fort Smith. "Well, the role of the premier is to provide leadership. It's to take the priorities of the 17th assembly that we're going to be working on in the next week or so, and put those into action," Miltenberger told News/North. "To do that, the premier's job is to be the spokesperson for the government, to be the role model, to be on point when it comes to dealing with a lot of issues outside of government." Miltenberger thinks his experience and reputation across the North make him an ideal candidate for the top job. "I have, I believe, a demonstrated track record in every ministry I've been in, in terms of getting things done," he said. "I have a broad level of experience. I'm known across the North, I've worked across the North." Kevin Menicoche Going into his third term as MLA for the Nahendeh riding, Menicoche is looking to play a much larger role in the Legislature.
Menicoche has lived in the North all of his life, except when he attended post-secondary in B.C. and Ontario. Born and raised in Fort Simpson, Menicoche moved back north to work on the Enbridge pipeline for 17 years before getting into territorial politics, following past experience with the Liidlii Kue First Nation as a councillor. "I think the premier's role is that you've got to be a consensus builder, a strong team player, and engage the whole North in the development of our North," he said. "I believe that in our consensus-style government in the NWT, that premiership has to be alternated. So the last two administrations were Yellowknife and Inuvik, two big community centres, so if we firmly believe in consensus government, then the next premier has to come from the communities and regions. "I do have the skill set necessary to be premier," he said. "I'm a good consensus builder, I can work well with others, and I have a good sense of how government operates." Norman Yakeleya Yakeleya is MLA-elect for the Sahtu riding, marking his third term. He was elected into the 15th assembly and then acclaimed to the 16th.
A Sahtu Dene born in Yellowknife, Yakeleya currently lives in Tulita. He previously worked for the Dene Nation and multiple other aboriginal groups. Yakeleya was unavailable for further comment before press deadline, however, he has declared himself as a candidate for the premiership. On election night, Yakeleya told News/North that he was considering a bid for premier after some of his constituents asked if he would be interested in pursuing the position. "The Sahtu has some big issues that need to be addressed in the near future, and I've heard them, and I've listened to them, and it's time to go to work again for the next four years," he said. Bob McLeod The MLA for Yellowknife South has the most experience in public office among the candidates, having served 28 years, including 10 years as a deputy minister, of which the last four he served as secretary to cabinet.
McLeod's family has been in the North since his great-grandfather came here in 1869. "I'm indigenous Metis born and raised in the NWT. Lived here all my life," said McLeod. Though originally from Fort Providence, McLeod moved to Yellowknife in 1979, where he currently resides. "I think the premier is a catalyst or the lightning rod for making the North, or continuing to make the North, a great place to live and work and invest in," said McLeod. "He helps establish the vision and direction for the NWT and he plays a very key role with working with all levels of government. And (the premier) makes sure that we're not only a big land mass in Canada but that we're an important part of the confederation as well. "I've got experience, commitment, and leadership," he said. "I have a collaborative style that allows me to work well with others to resolve difficult issues and to move forward and attain tangible results." Bob Bromley The member of the assembly representing Weledeh is a home-grown Yellowknifer. He left the NWT as a young adult to pursue education, attending four universities and gaining a bachelors, masters, and Ph D.
As of press deadline, Bromley still wasn't certain whether he'd contend for premier. "However, I am concerned that there has been no attempt by candidates to express their vision for the NWT, and no attempt by the public or forums to ask candidates for their vision." As far as his vision is concerned, Bromley has this to say: "In a nutshell, we need strengthened community economies that support a strong social fabric and a return to environmental sustainability." Bromley stated in an email, "the role of premier is to provide leadership towards effective and efficient governance and collaborative action with aboriginal partners, linking economic, social and environmental decisions to ensure an ever-improving quality of life for all residents of the Northwest Territories." He said his age, and experience with aboriginal communities and land, business, science, the volunteer sector, and his "complete dedication to the people and the land of the NWT" make him a worthy candidate for premier. What you said Last week Northern News Services polled NWT residents via Facebook. We asked: If given the chance who would you choose for the NWT's next premier? We received 70 unique responses. The following list is only MLAs who received votes.
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