MLA hopefuls tackle Nahendeh
Candidates weigh in on lands, infrastructure
April Hudson
Northern News Services
Thursday, November 19, 2015
DEH CHO
The race to the legislative assembly is heating up with elections scheduled to take place on Nov. 23.
Four candidates are running in the Deh Cho: Ron Bonnetrouge, Lyle Fabian, Michael Nadli and Greg Nyuli. In the Nahendeh, incumbent Kevin Menicoche is being challenged by six candidates: Shane Thompson, Rosemary Gill, Dennis Nelner, Arnold Hope, Randy Sibbeston and Deneze Nakehk'o.
Deh Cho Drum reached out to all candidates by e-mail with questions on the Dehcho Process and infrastructure dollars.
Candidates who responded for the Nov. 19 edition of the paper are Nakehk'o, Thompson and Menicoche.
Over the last year, the Dehcho Process has been stalled due to the inability of the government and the Dehcho First Nations to agree on the amount of land Dehcho First Nations should receive. Do you think one or both sides needs to compromise and, if so, how can such a compromise be struck?
Thompson: "In my conversations with the Grand Chief, they are willing to negotiate - now the GNWT must be willing to do the same in good faith. Both sides should look at the Tlicho process as a template. The amount of land and compensation funds was based on what was agreed in the Dene/Metis Land Claims Agreement.
"However, the Tlicho got more subsurface land in exchange for reduced compensation funds. Self-government means control, and owning surface and subsurface lands means more control and management. If elected, I would work behind the scenes to ensure all parties get to the table."
Menicoche: "I will work and support the Dehcho First Nations for a just settlement. With devolution, the GNWT now plays a bigger role in negotiations. I will lobby hard with the newly elected MLAs to ensure settling our claims becomes a priority for the 18th assembly.
The GNWT has to be more flexible and creative to ensure more lands are available to the Dehcho. Finalizing the agreement-in-principle will give our region certainty.
"I am hopeful the new Liberal government and MP will follow through on their commitment that land claims do not have a cookie cutter approach."
Nakehk'o: "Communication is key to working together, and working together is how things get done. This is important in all endeavours and more so for our modern Treaty processes in Nahendeh. I would work to bring everyone - indigenous and non-indigenous alike - up to date with the current negotiations.
"We all have to feel good about the Dehcho Process and the Fort Liard Land Claim and community self-government, because both processes will set the foundation for certainty. Strong leadership is needed to facilitate these processes. We need a Nahendeh MLA on cabinet to make effective change in our region."
What would your strategy be to ensure your riding receives the infrastructure money it needs?
Thompson: "I believe it is all about working together with the communities to ensure that we come to the legislative assembly as a united front. This will remove one of the barriers that government can use against us - 'You folks are not working together so how can we bring the necessary infrastructure into the region?' The other step is to work with the other 18 MLAs so they understand our needs. The third step is to work hard in committees and during the budget process."
Menicoche: "It has been my experience that the best way for an MLA to ensure their riding infrastructure needs are met is to continually raise the issue in legislature and work with the oversight committees to ensure their support. Large infrastructure projects, such as the $30-million health centre, will have to have the support of cabinet and all MLAs.
I will work hard with my colleagues so the project is advanced to begin construction in the 2017-18 capital budget. I will also ensure MLAs lobbying to get on cabinet will have my support if they support Nahendeh's capital infrastructure needs."
Nakehk'o: "Being the Nahendeh MLA is not a normal job. This is a leadership position that requires a strong voice and the ability to work well with others. Nahendeh is one MLA out of 19. Support is needed from the other MLAs to get movement on campaign promises.
Understanding territorial politics and procedures will help, but what will really make things happen is working with other MLAs. This is why a cabinet position is important for Nahendeh, because that is where all the decisions are made and we need to be at that table to ensure we have our say."
