Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

FORT PROVIDENCE/FORT GOOD HOPE
Greg Laboucan is the new chief of Fort Good Hope after being elected on July 15. Laboucan ran against Arthur Tobac, former chief Wilfred McNeely Jr., and four other candidates in the election.

While Laboucan is originally from Whitefish Lake First Nation, north of Slave Lake, Alta., he has worked in the community for years.

He was Fort Good Hope's senior administrative officer and band manager from 2006 until last year. Laboucan said he decided to run for chief after residents approached him about the idea.

"I just ended up getting a lot of support," he said.

He said he was pleased the community chose him.

"I'm very excited," he said. "I feel very honoured."

More than 250 people voted in the election, which represented a voter turnout rate of 72 per cent.

Laboucan said he has already set some goals for his term. Improving education, supporting water monitoring on the Mackenzie River, and helping to facilitate relationships between youth and elders are three of his top priorities.

Laboucan said even students who graduate from the community's school often require upgrading before they are eligible for acceptance into post-secondary programs. He said he would like to see more government support for Chief T'Selehye School to help improve student performance, a plan he will work on with council members.

"We're going to create a plan and we can hopefully get the GNWT to support us," Laboucan said. "Hopefully we can get the same services as Hay River or Yellowknife for our students here."

Laboucan said he also plans to support community monitoring on the Mackenzie River. The river provides the town's drinking water and residents have been concerned for years about a possible link between industry pollution and cancer rates, he said.

"The cancer rate in our community has risen over the last five years. We're not too sure what the cause is," he said. "A lot of community members are looking at the water source as a possible target."

Fostering relationships between elders and youth is another objective.

"A lot of the 21st century has kind of disrupted traditional teachings," he said. "There is so much access to Internet and everything else to occupy (youths') time."

Laboucan said he plans to work with the Fort Good Hope Metis Local 54 and land corporations to improve community services.

Laboucan said for now, he is busy getting ready to get the community's new water plant up and running. He said work was expected to finish late last week and the plant could be operational this week.

"I'm very familiar with the plant and what kind of product it's going to give the community in regards to safe drinking water," he said. "It's hopefully going to ease the tension our community members have on water quality."

Members of the Deh Gah Got'ie First Nation have elected a new chief and band council.

Joachim Bonnetrouge was elected chief with 117 votes during the election on July 15. Bonnetrouge received 15 more votes than Berna Landry who was the acting chief. Former chief Wayne Sabourin, who was removed by a band council motion on May 9, also ran along with Greg Nyuli.

Councillors returning to the band council include Theresa Bonnetrouge with 177 votes, Victor Constant with 148 votes, Jim Thom with 187 votes, and Michael Vandell with 178 votes. The new councillors include Xavier Canadien with 167 votes, Eddie Gargan with 159 votes, and Samuel Gargan with 225 votes.

The chief and council will be serving a two-year term. Out of 825 potential voters, 333 band members went to the polls.

- with files from

Roxanna Thompson

Fact File

Candidates for Chief of Fort Good Hope

Greg Laboucan - chief

Arthur Tobac

Wilfred McNeely Jr.

George Grandjambe

Robert Bourassa

Harry Harris Sr.

Frank T'Seleie Sr.

Source: Greg Laboucan

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.