Jim Antoine

James L. Antoine (born 1949) is a former politician from the Northwest Territories, Canada. He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories from 1991 to 2003. During his time in office he led the Northwest Territories government as the eighth premier of the Northwest Territories from 1998 to 2000. He has also served as Chief of the Liidlii Kue First Nation on four occasions from the 1970s to present.

Jim Antoine
8th Premier of the Northwest Territories
In office
December 10, 1998 – January 17, 2000
CommissionerHelen Maksagak
Daniel Joseph Marion
Preceded byDon Morin
Succeeded byStephen Kakfwi
Member of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories
In office
October 15, 1991 – November 24, 2003
Preceded byNick Sibbeston
Succeeded byKevin Menicoche
ConstituencyNahendeh
Personal details
Born1949 (age 73–74)
Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories, Canada

Early life

James L. Antoine was born in Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories, Canada in 1949.[1] He attended his post secondary education at the University of Wisconsin and the University of Lethbridge graduating in 1988 with a management certificate.[1] Prior to his career as Chief Liidlii Kue First Nation. Antoine operated a small private business in his home town.[2]

Political career

Antoine was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Northwest Territories in the 1991 general election. He was re-elected to his second term in the 1995 general election by acclamation and chosen to enter cabinet with the portfolios of Public Works and Services, Transportation and Aboriginal Affairs.[2]

Premier

Antoine was elected premier by his peers midway through the 13th Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly on December 10, 1998. He defeated Stephen Kakfwi who also vied for the top job. Antoine replaced acting Premier Goo Arlooktoo who was appointed after Premier Don Morin resigned due to conflict of interest allegations.[2]

Antoine ran for a third term in office in the 1999 Northwest Territories general election. He defeated two other candidates including former MLA William Lafferty with over 60% of the popular vote to hold his seat.

Antoine was premier during the division that created Nunavut from the eastern half of the territory.[1] He did not stand for re-election to the Premier position and instead was nominated to return to Cabinet.[3] He served out the remainder of his term in office before retiring from territorial politics at the dissolution of the Assembly in 2003.

Liidlii Kue First Nation

Antoine has served as leader of the Liidlii Kue First Nation on four separate occasions. His first time as Chief was from 1974 to 1977 and his second time from 1979 to 1985 and a third time from 1989 to 1991. He vacated his position to run in the 1991 Northwest Territories election.[4]

In 2009 Antoine made a return to first nations leadership he ran for election and won his fourth stint in office defeating incumbent Chief Keyna Norwegian and three other candidates.[4]

References
  1. Janine Edklund (April 1, 1999). "NWT Premier Jim Antoine lives in interesting times". Lethbridge Herald. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  2. Dwain Wilken (December 18, 1998). "MLAs pick Jim Antoine as the new premier". Nunatsiaq News.
  3. "Item 9: Election of Ministers" (PDF). Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories. January 17, 2000. p. 24. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 2, 2011. Archived January 2, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  4. "Jim Antoine elected chief of Liidlii Kue First Nation". Northern News Service. June 18, 2009. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
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