Elias to Seek the Confidence of Vuntut Residents

16-Apr-2010

Old Crow:  Darius Elias announced today he intends to run again for the Yukon Liberal Party in the upcoming territorial election.  Elias made the announcement in his home community of Old Crow this afternoon.

“I believe in my community of Old Crow and our “role up your sleeves and get to work spirit,” Elias explained. “After much discussion with my family and canvassing community members, I believe I have the support to once again ask for their confidence to lead and serve as their MLA, come the next election.” he said. “After four years of representing my home community, I feel I still have much to contribute to Old Crow and to the territory as a whole.”

Elias said his constituents have told him their top priority remains the preservation of the Porcupine Caribou Herd.

“My constituents told me that the caribou are their top concern.  I have made it a priority since I was first elected and my record shows that,” Elias said.  “I will also continue to press for upgrading the drinking water well, to revitalize the trapping industry, and to continue to address the program and service gaps that exist in Old Crow in terms of recreation, elders programming, health and education.”

Elias said he is excited to be part of the team being put together by the Yukon Liberal Party.

“For years, the Liberals have been listening to Yukoners about their vision for our territory and today we have begun the journey of asking them to rally around our team so that we may form the next government devoted to making that vision a reality,” he said.  “While I am the first candidate to declare my commitment to the Liberal team, Yukoners can expect more announcements in the coming weeks and months.”  

Elias said he is eager to run under the leadership of Arthur Mitchell. “Yukoners will have a choice about who they trust with their money, who they believe is competent and who they believe will work well as a team builder,” he said.  “Over the years as Mr. Mitchell’s colleague, I’m confident he has the ability to lead this territory to new heights. He believes in healthy rural Yukon communities and he’s ready to face the challenges of our time.”

Elias was elected to the Yukon Legislative Assembly in the 2006 general election.  He is currently the critic for the Department of Justice, Community Services and the Women’s Directorate. He has also held critic responsibilities for the Department of Environment and Tourism & Culture.

Contact:     Darius Elias - MLA, Vuntut Gwitchin  
                   (867) 334-8375                               
                   John Skilnyk - Chair, Election Readiness 
                   (867) 334-8170

Background

Elias has been actively involved in many local, regional and international causes over the years as a member of the Vuntut Gwitchin Trust, the Fishing Branch local planning team, the Vuntut National Park management planning team, the North Yukon Planning Commission, and the North Yukon Fish and Wildlife management team.

As a longtime advocate for the protection & conservation of the Porcupine Caribou herd, Elias has actively participated in educational tours throughout the United States and Canada. 

While serving as a member of the Canadian Youth Roundtable on the Environment, Elias attended a United Nations summit in New York City as Canada’s youth representative.

He was a Vuntut National Park warden for nine years and worked as an assessment officer with the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board.

Darius also enjoys volunteering his time coaching and encouraging youth to excel in sport.

Elias, a graduate of F.H. Collins Secondary School has a diploma in Renewable Resources Management and a certificate in First Nation Business from Yukon College.

He and his wife Tina have four children and one grandchild.