Jean Marie River’s new chief wants to help others come home, like him

By Claire McFarlane, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Cabin Radio Tthets’éhk’édélı̨ First Nation elects Paul Simon as  new chief Simon ran against incumbent Melanie Norwegian Menacho, who was acclaimed to the role in 2023. Speaking with Cabin Radio, Simon said he felt overwhelmed and speechless about the result. “I wasn’t sure how membership was going to vote, but I thought I’d throw my hat in the ring and see how it went,” said Simon. He describes Jean Marie River as his hometown, though he said he has spent most of his life living in Fort Simpson. In March, he returned to the community after working in Whatì as a public servant for the territorial government. Since July, he’s worked as the acting public works foreman for the First Nation. He said…

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