DEH CHO
Enough voters in the Deh Cho electoral district apparently forgave incumbent Michael Nadli for his second assault conviction and elected him to a second term as their MLA.

Michael Nadli: Incumbent has been elected to a second term as Deh Cho MLA despite his conviction for domestic assault earlier this year. - NNSL file photo

Nadli, 51, actually trailed challenger Ronald Bonnetrouge in the early hours of election night but rallied to defeat him by 18 votes - 190 to 172.

Ultimately, more people in the riding voted against Nadli than for him.

Gregory Nyuli garnered 66 votes while the fourth candidate in the riding, Lyle Fabian received 40.

Nadli pleaded guilty earlier this year to assault causing bodily harm after a domestic incident at his home in Fort Providence in April.

In October he was convicted in a Yellowknife court of breaking a woman's wrist and was diverted to the domestic violence treatment option court.

He was sentenced to 45 days after completing the program but served only about one sixth of his sentence and was released last month just in time to file his nomination papers. Nadli was also convicted of assault on the same victim in 2004.

He was suspended as an MLA after he went to jail but that failed to become relevant when the 17th assembly dissolved Oct. 26. This prompted outrage from some women's advocates who urged him not to run.

Nadli said his re-election is a solid recognition by the voters of the work he began during the 17th Legislative Assembly.

"There are still things to work on and the work continues. I think people recognize the work I've been doing," Nadli said. "People believe the work I have been doing is making a difference in their lives and that's the path that I am on currently."

Nadli said going forward he intends to take a role in the 18th assembly when it comes to domestic violence issues in the NWT.

"It's very regrettable the experience that I went through. Given the opportunity of course I'd like to play a role ... in the type of families that have experienced the same situation I have gone through. I want to be an advocate for women's rights issues as well," Nadli said.

"The journey that I am on in terms of wellness and healing - I've been encouraged to share my experiences not only from this incident but the many challenges that I have gone through. I am at least trying to better myself. There are certain chapters in my life that have grown me into the person that I am today. That's the path I am on and I'd like to continue that work. I can only move forward."

Nadli, a residential school survivor, said he is still involved in counselling sessions. He told another media outlet he would be open to a cabinet position.

Women's' rights advocate Sandra Lockhart was among those who suggested Nadli's sentence was too light and was outraged over how little jail time he actually served.

But she said that it didn't surprise her that he won.

"Most candidates wouldn't run if they didn't think they'd get in. As an MLA he did some good things for his region. But as a person - his private life was a mess. It's disappointing, but it wasn't our vote, it was the community's," Lockhart said. "He's got his work cut out for him. He won't be in cabinet. He's taken the harder path that's for sure. He is going to have lots of people questioning him on his morals and his integrity."

Lockhart said she is not convinced Nadli has taken full responsibility for his actions and believes even if he had it will take some time for him to convince the public.

She said she thinks his light sentence and the fact that he was able to be released from jail sounds like political privilege.

Lockhart said Nadli's victory says a lot about how the NWT deals with domestic violence.

"I don't think that violence against women is taken seriously in the NWT even when women are killed," she said. "Michael Nadli has become the face of it now."

Lockhart is calling on Nadli to champion women's rights and work on eliminating violence against women in the territory.

"I expect him to. You don't to get to get off and walk away like it never happened."

Nyuli said he was surprised Nadli won considering the history there.

"It makes me wonder whether it was even legal for him to run. I guess he was but it's a little disheartening for sure."

Nyuli conceded if there had not been three candidates running against Nadli, the anti-Nadli vote would not have been split and there would have been enough votes against him to keep him from a second term in office.

Voter turnout in the Deh Cho was among the highest in the territory at a little more than 60 per cent.

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