Incumbent city councillor Stacie Arden Smith, in conversation with Yellowknifer, addresses Indigenous representation in the city and her decision to run for another term.
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Could you please introduce yourself for anyone who may not know who you are?
SA国际影视传媒淢y name is Stacie Arden Smith. I am a lifelong resident of Yellowknife. Born and raised, as was my mother and my family before me.SA国际影视传媒�
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What do you hope to change if youSA国际影视传媒檙e re-elected?
SA国际影视传媒淚 hope to continue the work that ISA国际影视传媒檝e been doing, most definitely. On my plate last term was downtown revitalization, homelessness, and reconciliation in terms of recognizing having Indigenous people not only within city administration, but as well as in the work put forth with reconciliation out to the community.SA国际影视传媒�
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Why have you decided to run again?
SA国际影视传媒淏ecause I really enjoyed my time (as a councillor) and the work is not done. The work is never done. ISA国际影视传媒檇 like to see it go further than where it is right now. Covid-19 kind of put the kibosh on a lot of projects that the council really wanted to put forward.
SA国际影视传媒淚 want to see this move a lot faster this term, in terms of homelessness and addressing the GNWT about an addictions facility, which is needed not only for Yellowknife but across the NWT. We have a lot of issues right now with vagrancy SA国际影视传媒� itSA国际影视传媒檚 run rampant, and itSA国际影视传媒檚 gotten worse. (I want to address) those issues working with , the MED (Municipal Enforcement Division), and the CAB (Community Advisory Board on Homelessness) committee in terms of programming and funding.SA国际影视传媒�
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Could you tell me more about an addictions facility?
SA国际影视传媒淚t has been promised by the GNWT for decades. When I was a little girl, about 30-plus years ago, it was promised. It keeps being pushed further away but itSA国际影视传媒檚 needed. I do not understand why everything else takes precedence over this. WeSA国际影视传媒檙e talking about human beings. WeSA国际影视传媒檙e talking about the betterment of not only individuals on the street, but within homes too. Addictions are everywhere.SA国际影视传媒�
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What are some of your must haves?
SA国际影视传媒淩epresentation for Indigenous people is a must have, and our ability to be able to move forward as well as supporting the concerns regarding the retention of Indigenous staff. Having Indigenous voices within administration and council is very important.SA国际影视传媒�
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Are there any other comments you would like to add?
SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 just going around doing my bit. ISA国际影视传媒檝e never been one to go door-to-door. (As a girl,) I hated doing Girl Guide cookie sales.
SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 doing what I do best and meeting people. ISA国际影视传媒檓 really hoping that the work that I do within town speaks for itself, and speaks of who I am. ISA国际影视传媒檝e been a resident my entire life so people know who I am and what ISA国际影视传媒檓 about.SA国际影视传媒�
