SA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½

Members of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation will head to the polls this month to elect a new chief in Ndilo. 

Advance polls open Aug. 8 and election day is Aug. 18.

SA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½ contacted each candidate with a list of questions. These are Liz Liske's responses.

1) What made you decide to run for chief?

A couple of Yellowknives Dene First Nation members approached me and shared that they believed I would be a strong candidate for chief of Ndilo. They offered their support and asked to nominate me. After some reflection and with gratitude, I accepted the nomination. My grandfather, the late Antoine Liske, was a past chief. His teachings shaped me as a child, and his legacy continues to inspire me. When this opportunity arose, I felt it was no accident; it's a calling I accept with humility.

2) What sort of experience do you bring to the table?

I've had the honour of serving a full four years as a councillor for Ndilo. During that time, I sat on several boards and advisory committees, some of which I continue to serve on today. That experience has given me insight into governance, community planning, and the importance of working collaboratively with different organizations and always keeping the needs of our people at the centre.

3) What do you see as the big issues this election?

I'm still in the process of connecting with community members to better understand their experiences and the challenges they're facing. But from my own perspective, the important topics that continue to stand out include:

-protecting our treaty rights

-strengthening communication and transparency

-supporting community wellness and trauma healing

-addressing the impacts of substance use and social issues

-building a gym for the students in Ndilo

-creating more housing options

-establishing our own cultural centre

-supporting a fully operational land guardian program for Chief Drygeese territory

4) How do you propose to deal with those issues?

By taking a community-centred approach SA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½” making sure that the visions, voices and priorities of our members are always guiding the work. I believe in listening deeply, collaborating closely and making space for our Elders, youth and families to be heard. Solutions must be led by the community.

5) What does it mean to you to be a Yellowknives Dene?

It means being part of something greater than myself. I'm part of a community that is rich in spirit, love, laughter and resilience. We are guided by our Dene laws, our Elders and the wisdom of our ancestors. Our identity is deeply tied to the land SA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½” we have been the stewards of the area since time immemorial. That responsibility has been passed down through generations and will continue long after my time.

To be Yellowknives Dene is to honour our past, to serve our present and to prepare the way for those coming after us. Everything we do should serve the next seven generations. That is our strength and our sacred duty.

6) What will be your top priorities if elected?

My top priorities will be:

-securing a gym for the Ndilo school

-establishing a strong community-led guardian program

-advancing the implementation of our treaty rights through the Akaitcho negotiation process

7) Anything else you would like to add?

Being nominated is truly an honour. I look forward to hearing from the community, listening to their voices and vision for the future. I don't claim to have all the answers, but I hope to be surrounded by the right people SA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½” those who share a vision of a thriving Yellowknives Dene First Nation. I want to be the kind of leader that our people can count on and be proud of. The Yellowknives Dene deserve wellness, and wellness begins with strong, healthy families. When our families thrive, our nation thrives. That's what I hope to focus on in this term: continuing the good work of those who came before me, and walking the good path for those who will come next.