INUVIK
Despite being delayed twice because of a lack of nominations, the Nihtat Gwich'in Council is now headed towards an election for the eight required directors.

Incumbent president Jozef Carnogursky has been acclaimed since no one ran against him, but for the 11 nominees who out their names forward, there will be an election Sept. 9.

"After two extensions, we have enough to need an election," said chief returning officer Edward Wright. "What's interesting is that the ones who came forward during this last extension were young people."

The nominees are Amy Amos, Eliza Firth, James B. Firth, Sylvia Firth, Barry Greenland, Melba Mitchell, Heather Moses, Lawrence Neyando, Richard Ross Jr., Sallie Ross, and Vernon Smith.

Barry Greenland, a former council member and nominee, said he is pleased to see young people stepping up into leadership roles and that those people - if elected - will continue to learn about their government and traditions.

"Inuvik is practising getting young people in this positions, putting it to the test," he said. "For years we've been telling the young people to step up."

Greenland said his own motivations have to do with building a solid foundation for the future, adding that having a land claim is not an easy thing.

"We need a solid foundation to build on and we don't have that yet," he said. "We need to continue to strive for the betterment of the people we represent ... we need to get more of our young people involved. They are so intelligent."

The election had originally been called for Aug. 26, but had to be delayed twice when not enough people submitted nomination papers. As a result of a rule change at last July's annual general meeting, eight directors and one president are required to form a council, Wright said. Previously, anywhere between five and nine directors could sit on the council. The most recent extension of the nomination period ended Aug. 26 with 11 names submitted.

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