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Six options for chief in Lutsel K'e
First Nation to vote for new chief April 16; council elections postponed

Nathalie Heiberg-Harrison
Northern News Services
Published Monday, April 9, 2012

LUTSEL K'E/SNOWDRIFT
Chief Antoine Michel has a lot of unfinished business.

The Lutsel K'e Dene First Nation incumbent, who will face five other candidates in an election on April 16, said it's for that reason he should be re-elected for a second term.

"Two years is not enough time," he said. "The things you can start on, you can't finish, and then it's over."

Since Antoine beat incumbent chief Steven Nitah by 17 votes in 2010, he said his main focus has been finalizing the Akaitcho Territory Dene First Nation's land claim agreement.

"The land claim is very important for me, for the future of our kids," he said. "The government is not giving us what we want. That's got to be settled."

In addition, he said he helped the band eliminate a debt of more than $2 million over the course of his two-year term.

If re-elected, Antoine said he will work to gain more control over the Taltson hydroelectric project for the band.

"People are saying we need that power to go into Lutsel K'e. The power rates should be going down," he said.

He said he will also focus on drug and alcohol abuse in the community.

The five other candidates for chief are Dora Enzoe, Angie Lantz, Archie Catholique, JC Catholique and Florence Catholique.

Enzoe works for the Lutsel K'e Dene First Nation as executive director for the chief and council.

Lantz has previously served as chief. She is currently the band's justice co-ordinator.

Archie Catholique, another former chief and councillor, is the band's community negotiator in the Akaitcho Process.

JC Catholique is a community social services worker in Lutsel K'e with the Yellowknife Health and Social Services Authority.

Florence Catholique, a former chief and councillor, is the First Nation's impact benefit agreement co-ordinator.

All the band employees seeking to become chief have been required to take a leave of absence to run for election.

Originally, nominations for six positions on band council were scheduled to close on April 2.

However, band manager Ray Griffith noted only three people put their names forward to run for council, and the nomination period was extended to April 16.

The date of the election for councillors has yet to be determined. It had originally been set for April 18.

Griffith encouraged band members to consider running for council.

Lutsel K'e Dene First Nation has approximately 740 members, and roughly 370 eligible voters.

Polling stations for the election for chief will be set up in Lutsel K'e, Yellowknife and Fort Smith.

News/North was unable to reach Dora Enzoe, Angie Lantz, Archie Catholique, JC Catholique and Florence Catholique for comment.

- with files from Paul Bickford

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