Norman Wells mayoral candidates set out visions

Former Sahtu MLA Paulie Chinna and incumbent Frank Pope, each seeking the role of Norman Wells mayor in this election, took questions at an all-candidates forum.

Over the past year, Chinna also ran for Dene national chief and unsuccessfully sought to defend her seat in last fall’s territorial election.

At the forum, she said she had put her name forward in various elections to “understand the dynamic” within the territory.

“I feel like I need to give back to the region,” she said.

“Where are we as a Northwest Territories? How are we thinking? How are we actually going to be striving and moving forward?” she asked.

Chinna stressed the importance of partnering with Indigenous governments. As an example, she said Imperial Oil shares a “massive history” with Indigenous people and has formed a relationship that could benefit the town.

She said addiction has started to “really threaten safety” within the community, adding she would like to see homeless shelters and mental health supports in place.

“If there’s anything happening in the community, where do we go? The only domestic places here in the Northwest Territories are Yellowknife and Fort Smith,” she said.

“What I have to offer to the region is the connection that I do have. Really looking at working with the Indigenous governments but not only that, with the federal government as well.

“What I would like to look at is unity. I think we need to be in alignment, and we need to work together to see changes within our community.”

In an interview last month, Pope said he was seeking re-election to help Norman Wells through price surges associated with the cancellation of resupply barges among other economic challenges.

During the forum, he referenced the impact climate change and the Mackenzie River’s low water have had on the region.

“I’ve been asked several times, or maybe many times over the last few weeks, why someone of my age would continue to advocate and work hard on behalf of our community. It’s very simple,” he said.

“I moved here 41 years ago this month with my family. There are now four generations of the Pope family in Norman Wells so, while I’m looking after their best interests, I’m also here to look after everyone else’s best interests.

“We’re going through a perfect storm right now. None of it is of our making … All I can tell you at this point is I’m dedicated to work for our community to the best of my ability, and I promise to do that, and I will accept any advice you wish to offer me along the way.”

Last week, residents in the town reported gas prices that for a time rose toward nearly $5 per litre. Asked how costs can be curbed, Chinna said she would ask the territorial government questions about its emergency response in the Sahtu if she was elected.

“I think that the GNWT should be upfronting a subsidy to Norman Wells,” she said, speaking before the territory announced a $1.8 million support package for Sahtu and Beaufort Delta businesses.

Chinna said supports offered to the Sahtu should be measured against supports offered in places recovering from disasters, like Enterprise.

“When the fires happened in Fort Good Hope, were they fuelling up here with our fuel, and just used up our supply that we got over the winter with the winter road?” Chinna asked.

Pope said residents should not have to pay for the “totally ridiculous” high cost of fuel. He called the situation a “tragedy in the making,” adding that he will not be able to afford fuel by next month if prices remain high.

“They have made money over the years out of the oil field here, billions to the federal government in royalties, taxes and revenues. So to me, this is their time to come to the table and look after Norman Wells,” he said.

“What’s the future going to hold for us if there’s no water in the Mackenzie River? So we’d better sit down, get a commitment to cover these costs for now, for this summer … and get proactive, rather than reactive, with a plan going forward.”

Pope said efforts to build an all-season Mackenzie Valley Highway were “dragging on and on,” calling on other leaders not to let “politics get in the way of it any more.”

With uncertainty around Imperial Oil’s operations in the near future, Pope feels the town has a lot to lose.

Chinna said she has not seen a response from Imperial, which is something she wishes to see. She feels there is a need to initiate a conversation with the Sahtu Land and Water Board and Mackenzie Valley Review Board so people are aware of the timeline and next steps.

She agreed with Pope that the all-season highway needs to be built.

“We need to be in alignment with the Dehcho. This is why Indigenous partnership is so important,” she said.

“I have see it done in Yellowknife. Yellowknife works directly with YKDFN. I see it in the Tłı̨chǫ and we need to have the same approach here in the Sahtu.”

Ways to tackle the high cost of groceries, helping businesses and considering a state of emergency for Norman Wells were other topics brought up during the session.

The complete video can be viewed on Breaking Ice Productions’ YouTube channel.