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Meet your candidates
Candidates for the position of Gwich'in Tribal Council vice-president respond to questions

NNSL staff
Northern News Services
Thursday, June 16, 2016

INUVIK
In anticipation of the Gwich'in Tribal Council election to be held June 27, the Inuvik Drum asked all candidates a series of questions about their approach to some of the top issues facing the community today and in the future.

Responses from the vice-president candidates are below, with the answers from the presidential candidates set to run in next week's edition June 23. Candidate Wilbert Firth did not submit his responses before press time.

WILLIAM KOE

William Koe did not respond to individual questions sent by the Drum, but did provide a statement, printed here in its entirety.

I have being involved in self government and there was a concern about consultation and it was repeatedly told to us they cannot give the information out. As a result of our negotiations, I feel the people have to know what is in the agreement and what benefits we will have.

I feel we have to bring the agreement into the homes and hire trained staff to get the message across. Most of the elders and middle-aged do not have the education to understand self government. As leaders we have to bring the message home and have workshops and translations done so our people can get the message and understand the process.

As leaders we have to go into the school and explain it to the teachers and students and also have it as a working tool for the students in Northern studies. This would allow the students to learn more about this process. We need to go on the radio time after time and let people and public to hear all about the agreement.

This topic alone should be held in each community and if possible put on APTN so not only Northerners will get the message, but also those in the south can hear what is in the agreement.

I have been sober and smoke free for six years going on seven and have promoted this issue to my community many times.

I have been involved in my community and address bootlegging and drug selling as concerns to my people. I have been involved in all types of healing from playing music to workshops, playing music, attending functions and so forth to promote healing. I feel I have to be a role model to my peers and my people and followed leaders of the past, who kept telling me the most important concern is having healthy children and community. We have to keep addressing our concerns on the radio or in the community to help solve the problem.

JORDAN PETERSON

Earlier this year there was some controversy surrounding the self-government negotiation process, with the Nihtat Gwich'in Council declining to sign the latest agreement in principle. Moving forward, how would you handle the process to bring all groups together?

What changes, if any, would you make?

In order to achieve a final agreement for self-government, we need an informed nation that votes together on our collective future. This is centred on the important task of educating our people so they can fully understand what is in the agreement and what they are consenting to. Then, we can return to negotiations. But more importantly, participants deserve a seat at the table to express their ideas and concerns, which will enhance the process while building a healthy and strong nation that is well informed and ready to build a future for generations to come.

Do you think communication between leadership and the tribal council and the membership needs to improve? How, if at all, would you better communicate with and inform participants?

Currently, we have not utilized communication tools effectively to inform our participants and has lead to an uninformed nation that has been, in reality, left out of the conversation. Better communication and transparency about all aspects of our organizations will build solidarity and a path forward to greater self-determination. By electing strong leadership who can speak for everyone and have conversations with all members of our nation - elders, youth, women, two-spirited people or LGBTQ, we will begin to share new ideas, learn from each other, and create successful environments, that will include everyone.

How would you get Gwich'in youth to stay in school, and move into employment or higher education afterward?

Education is essential in creating a personal foundation in moving individuals and our nation forward. We need more support for our students, especially in post-secondary when they are away from home. This support includes checking in with them periodically throughout the semester, ensuring they can access institutional support, and helping them stay on track with their educational plan. Creating partnerships with governments and other organizations and institutions to create more enhanced support systems will give our youth a sense of guidance and reassurances that they so desperately are searching for. When we have community/nation-based leadership and bring our values to the forefront, our students will know they are supported and will be more likely to succeed throughout their educational careers.

How have you contributed to the health and wellness of your own community?

I have been a part of many organizations that strive to create a healthier and forward thinking North. I have been a board member for the Inuvik Youth Centre, Ingamo Hall Friendship Centre and I am currently a co-chair for Our Voices, which is an emerging leaders group that strives to give a voice to all of our youth in the North. In my role as community development officer for the Gwich'in Tribal Council, I helped to create a Gwich'in regional youth council that has been an on-going success that gives two youth from each Gwich'in community a seat at the table to build upon their leadership skills, provide exposure to Gwich'in culture, language and traditional practices and build solidarity amongst our youth. I also ensure that the youth council has a voice in all culture, language, youth and elders programs that we have created over the last couple of years such as the Elders and Youth Forum and the Academic conference that gives students real life exposure to university life. I believe that the opportunity to learn from our elders and youth and giving them a voice which will be listened to has shown them their importance in our communities.

BRIDGET LAROCQUE

Earlier this year there was some controversy surrounding the self-government negotiation process, with the Nihtat Gwich'in Council declining to sign the latest agreement in principle. Moving forward, how would you handle the process to bring all groups together? What changes, if any, would you make?

No comment, as I am the manager of self-government and on leave during this election period. However with respect to the Gwich'in Comprehensive Land Claim, this claim is for the participants, therefore, it is the participants that give direction so that voice has to be heard. We have to use all tools available to us to hear all participants' voices.

Do you think communication between leadership and the tribal council and the participant's needs to improve? How, if at all, would you better communicate with and inform the membership?

Communication is what holds people and organizations together. There is a need for the traditional communication practices as well as the more contemporary or new ways to communicate. The notion and generalization that everyone has Internet and cellphones is not true and the participants that choose not to use these communication tools appreciate a personal visit. I have been to many homes of our participants and regardless that they have phones and Internet they still prefer (to meet) with us. I also used the radio and landlines to reach out to the participants. We are in a region where we can travel to the GSA communities by road, boat, or planes. We can reach out to our participants outside the GSA by plane and road as well. We need to use all means and medium available to us to talk with each other and to listen to the suggestion and concerns. Communication needs to be open dialogue. Gwich'in are traditionally an oral people. We sat with each other, watched, and listened. We still use these ways of teachings, we just need to make sure we do more of this. Participants need to be engaged, heard, and respected.

How would you get Gwich'in youth to stay in school, and move into employment or higher education afterward?

It's imperative that we know why youth are not in school. There are many case studies out there that offer alternatives to students and we need to consider these. School has not been a great learning environment for many of our elders and the parents today so we have to bring trust back into the western education system. We also have to use land-based practices and incorporate these teachings in our curriculum. There are ways of doing this and in other parts of Canada from K-12 and to the post-secondary; these are proving to be effective ways of bringing one's environment into the western system. We are land-based people so it seems only right to marry the two systems to benefit our students. Our students need a strong foundation and this is where community steps up as our world is forever changing, but we can also use technology to enhance our student's skills for our community needs and to help them fulfill their aspirations and dreams.  

How have you contributed to the health and wellness of your own community?

I have been involved in my community at a very young age. I volunteer on a number of boards, councils, and committees. Through my volunteer work I promote physical activity and programs and services that address social needs. I am never too far from anyone that needs someone to listen to them or if they need advice. I support local events whenever I am available and help out where I can. I also mentor young, aspiring women leaders and I believe in leading without title or accolades. Giving back to me should always be an unselfish act.

I was raised being active in sport and contributing to local events so giving back is a huge part of my worldview and I believe in the importance of building community. The community is a family and family is about unity, support, love, and sharing. To prosper everyone has to be together. It is not our custom to leave anyone out.

If people need help we help them out. That is our traditional worldview and belief.

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