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INUVIK
Nominations have been received for two local aboriginal elections set to happen next January.

The Inuvik Native Band and the Nihtat Gwich'in Council will have an election on Jan. 24, at Ingamo Hall in Inuvik, with polls open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nominations closed on Nov. 21, with papers filed by four candidates for chief of the Inuvik Native Band and 14 candidates for the eight director positions in the Nihtat Gwich'in Council.

There will be no election for councillors of the Inuvik Native Band. All eight candidates were acclaimed: Duane Debastien, Bernice Furlong, Richard Firth, Melba Mitchell, Richard Ross, Sallie Ross, Susan Ross and Amy Thompson.

The previous councillors for the Inuvik Native Band were Leonard Debastien, Susan Ross and Bernice Furlong, with James B. Firth as sub-chief and Herbert Blake as chief.

Current candidates for chief of the Inuvik Native Band are Herbert Blake, Barb Crawford, James B. Firth and Barry Greenland.

Candidates for the Nihtat Gwich'in Council director positions are Donald Andre, Herbert Blake, Jozef Carnogursky, Duane Debastien, Leonard Debastien, James B. Firth, Richard Firth, Bernice Furlong, Barry Greenland, Melba Mitchell, Richard Ross, Susan Ross and Amy Thompson.

The previous directors were James B. Firth, Susan Ross, Bernice Furlong and Melba Mitchell, with Herbert Blake as president and Leonard Debastien as vice-president.

The Inuvik Native Band and Nihtat Gwich'in Council are two separate and distinct aboriginal governments, which have separate duties and responsibilities.

The Inuvik Native Band was established under the Indian Act and provides programs and services to band members with funding from Aboriginal and Northern Development Canada (previously Indian and Northern Affairs).

People who can vote are those recognized as Status Indians and registered on the registry with the Inuvik Native Band. Members can be Gwich'in or from any nation in Canada, but must live in the area.

The Nihtat Gwich'in Council is a designated Gwich'in organization, formed through the Gwich'in Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement. All First Nations or Metis registered with the council through the land claim agreement can vote in the election if they are registered members of the Nihtat Gwich'in Council in Inuvik.

The two groups work together and have similar goals and members, but are separate governments.

The last election for both groups was in 2009. Candidates have until Nov. 25 to withdraw their names from the election. For further information contact Terry Halifax, elections officer.

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