Yellowknives Dene First Nation (YKDFN) has two top priorities it wants to see raised during the federal election, according to one of its chiefs.

Advancing land claims and an apology and compensation addressing Giant MineSA国际影视传媒檚 toxic history to Indigenous communities are most important, Dettah Chief Ernest Betsina told SA国际影视传媒. 

Regarding the former, Betsina said he couldn't go into too much detail as YKDFN is still in negotiations with Ottawa. The latter is a bit more of an open story.

In the late 1940s, Giant Mine was releasing a highly toxic form of arsenic through its gold processing. Even today, almost a quarter million tonnes of arsenic dust lies dormant in the mine's sealed underground chambers to prevent it from getting into the air and water. 

But it posed a danger when the mine was active. Decades ago, a YKDFN member died of arsenic trioxide poisoning. That death was confirmed in a letter between the mine's manager and the director of the then-Department of Resources and Development. The letter, archived in Library and Archives Canada, says the mine paid $750 to a family for the death of their child.

"We are trying to seek an apology and compensation from Giant Mine," said Betsina. "Whoever gets in power [in Ottawa], we're hoping they would respect that and they would want to help us finish it off."

Outgoing Liberal MP Michael McLeod publicly supported compensation and an apology from Giant Mine in the past. 

"ItSA国际影视传媒檚 pretty hard for anyone to deny that there's been a lot of impact to the community. ThereSA国际影视传媒檚 been a lot of historic harms caused by this mine,SA国际影视传媒� McLeod said in 2020.

When it comes to land claims, McLeod has helped a fair bit in those negotiations, according to Betsina.

"He certainly has lobbied for us in Ottawa," the chief said, "so I'm hoping that whoever gets into power will continue that."

Betsina said he has not spoken to any of the NWT MP candidates yet. Other issues he would raise with them, he added, are housing and the Diavik diamond mine, which is slated to close in 2026.

"We need to start working together for the economy, for my people, because there's going to be a lot of members that are going to be looking for work after the mine shuts down, so we need to find some other projects for them to work on," said Betsina.

The chief also encouraged people to go out and vote, noting there seems to be some low numbers among Elders and Indigenous youth when it comes to casting ballots. Part of the reason for that, especially among Elders, could be the language barrier, Betsina noted. It's something Elections Canada is trying to fix. Media relations officer for Elections Canada, Diane Benson, said the organization is promoting its Indigenous Elder and Youth program. That initiative aims to hire Elders and youth to offer a welcoming presence and help voters navigate the process at the polls. That can also include language assistance, she said.

"The more youth and Elders vote, I think, the better," said Betsina. "Language is very important because, especially the Elders, they still retain and use their language and speak their language, and so they have every right to ask questions or to get information and to vote."

As for youth, Betsina encouraged young people to participate more in elections and to ask questions. 

"I would definitely like to see more youth come out," he said.

"Whoever gets in power in Canada and whoever gets in power in the Northwest Territories, there needs to be a willingness for everyone to work together," he added.