LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
Musician, artist and agriculturalist Randy Sibbeston is working his land in Fort Simpson as he prepares to enter the contest to represent the riding of Nahendeh during the upcoming territorial election.

Randy Sibbeston will be running for Nahendeh MLA. Here, Sibbeston, holding a turnip, stands with his daughter Ember, left, his wife, Stephanie, and sons Randal, Dehcho, Joa and Dalziel in his garden. He made his announcement at the Fort Liard Fall Gathering. - April Hudson/NNSL photo

Sibbeston's announcement late last month brings potential candidates to three, including CKLB broadcaster Dëneze Nakehk'o and incumbent MLA Kevin Menicoche.

Sibbeston is the son of NWT Senator Nick Sibbeston and grew up in Fort Simpson, where he now lives with his wife, Stephanie, and his children. In 2002 he served as president of the Metis Local 52, Fort Simpson Metis Nation and has served on the executive committee for Dehcho First Nations.

"I haven't been involved in politics for years. It was on my mind to run (for MLA) 12 years ago, but I knew the timing wasn't right. Now, it seems the timing is a lot better," he said. "I decided to run because I was asked by people I grew up with here in town, community leaders and people I respect."

Currently, Sibbeston is working on an extensive garden while homeschooling his children. He uses the garden as an educational tool and also as a tool to connect with his heritage. Gardening plays into his belief system as well. He maintains that nothing is stronger than aboriginal people on their own land.

"It's liberating to see nature as where all good things come from. It frees your mind," he said.

"(Through gardening), I've found my way back to my great grandfather's secret way of life."

That factors into Sibbeston's belief that people do not need government - government needs people. Government can enhance lives, he said, but only when it is properly run.

"Our rights come from honesty and good behaviour. That's what my traditional knowledge has taught me," he said. "Legislation is not supposed to shape our values, but (poor legislation) passes unless there is someone in the legislature who knows from the bottom of their heart that that legislation is bad, for specific reasons."

If elected, Sibbeston plans to push for policies that return money to the NWT and to residents, contrasting what he sees as a conservative agenda being pushed by the current government.

That coincides with his desire for more accountability in government, as well as economic sustainability.

"Delusion has influenced policy in government, but (policies) are our machines. If we don't apply logic to those machines, they rule us instead of the other way around," he said.

Writs will be issued for the territorial election on Oct. 26, at which point nominations will open. Campaigns will not begin until candidates file their nomination papers.

The deadline for nominations is Oct. 30 and election day is set for Nov. 23.

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