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This year, Nihtat Gwich'in who live outside their traditional lands will be able to cast a vote in the upcoming designated Gwich'in organization's presidential election. Online voting opened on June 9 and election day is June 23. NNSL media interviewed both presidential candidates about their vision. Here, we speak to incumbent Kelly McLeod.

1) What made you decide to run for president?

I decided to run again because I want to continue helping out people. As the current president of Nihtat GwichSA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™in Council, it has been an absolute honour to represent our people, together with the council. I would like the privilege to continue the great work we have been doing over the past four years.

2) What do you see as the major issues this election?

Where do I start? I will say, we cannot continue on the current path SA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½” our people and our communities are hurting. We must do better.

The issues our people face are not new, we must continue to put our people first in every aspect SA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½” health and wellness, education, harvesting rights, economics and job creation, to name a few.

We continue to see a complete failure of municipal and territorial government to recognize our rights under the Gwich'in Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement, treaty and UNDRIP. This must change if true reconciliation is the goal. We are rights holders, not stakeholders, and we must be involved in decisions being made that affect our people in a meaningful way, not just window dressing or checking a box.

3) How do you propose to contend with those issues?

We must continue to hold everyone accountable, including ourselves. Being the example we wish to see can be difficult at times, feeling like we are running under water uphill, but we must continue to press forward for the benefit of all our people, inside and outside of our lands. Gone are the days we allow external governments to segregate us and create internal division.

4) What would your first actions be if elected?

Continue the path we are going SA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½” over the past four years we had a goal to lay a strong administrative foundation so we can support our people in the way they need.

Continuing to focus on initiatives such as the Nihtat Tiny Home Village (NTHV) and the benefits that will bring to our people and the region will be great improvements to the current services that are offered today. Supporting our people in their healing journeys to set them up for success has been a key priority of ours this past term and hope to continue that work with the NTHV set to open this fall in October 2025.

5) What does being Nihtat Gwich'in mean to you?

I am proud to be Nihtat GwichSA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™in. I am proud of all my ancestry as this has shaped my value system. I am a father and husband first in my life, and I will continue to be a proud GwichSA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™in and support our people in anyway I can.

6) Anything else you would like to add?

Thank you for this opportunity. I would like to encourage all Nihtat GwichSA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™in to participate in the election, meetings and all opportunities. Those outside the GSA (Gwich'in Settlement Area) have their voting rights back as a change we have made in the last four years and encourage everyone to use their voice. Change only comes with hard work and I am willing to do that hard work with the support of our people for the benefit of all.