Alleged arson, uttering threats part of 'craziest' election in Fort Liard, N.W.T., candidates say

Some candidates running for chief and council in Fort Liard, N.W.T., say they're concerned for their safety after numerous reports of alleged political intimidation and violence.

In the last week, three incidents involving candidates have been reported to Fort Liard RCMP, including attempted arson, break and enter and uttering threats. Twocandidates say those acts were meant to intimidate them into withdrawing from the race.

The third candidate would not comment.

• Suspended Fort Liard, N.W.T., chief running for council position in May 15 election

"I've been living here pretty much 60 years, but this is about the craziest [election] I've seen," Frank Kotchea, candidate for chief, told CBC.

More than a dozen people entered the race for chief and five councillor positions in Monday's election. But four candidates were left off the final election list published by the band's deputy returning officer Thursday.

Fort Liard, pop. about 500, islocated in the southwestern portion of the territory near the B.C. border.

Kotchea says he was out campaigning in the communityWednesday evening when he was approached by another man running for councillor. He says the man accused him of visiting a Dene medicine man and using spells to influence the election.

"I've been living here pretty much 60 years but this is about the craziest [election] I've seen.- Frank Kotchea, running for chief

"He was saying, 'I'm going to effing kill you' and everything else," Kotcheasaid. "He also threatened to burn down my cabin.

"I thought he was going to go and punch me in the nose. If he was a bull, I swear he'd be snorting out fire."

Kotchea refused to say who the man was, but saidhe has made a complaint to RCMP. He also saidhe has installed cameras outside of his house as a result of the threats.

RCMPconfirmed they are investigating a threat, and say they are also investigating two other incidents that took place in the community on Monday.

Slates forming

Posts to the Fort Liard community Facebookpage show two sides forming one supporting suspended chief and councillor candidateHarry Deneronand the other hoping for change.

"It's hard to see, people I've known forever are on the other side of the group," said Kim Diamond, a band member who now lives in Fort Nelson, B.C., but has returned to Fort Liardtovote.

He said the four candidates who's names were removed from the list stepped down voluntarily to give their slate a better chance at winning the election.

'Get this over and done'

Deneron toldCBC that his daughter's trailer had gas poured all around it at around 3 a.m. Monday. RCMP have charged a youth, a 19-year-old man and an 18-year-old woman with arson.

Deneron didn't want to speak about the incident beyond saying he believes it was aimed at him. He and his children have been the target of several social media posts alleging corruption and misappropriation of band funds while he was in office.

The band council suspended Deneron as chief, citing a lack of confidence in his leadership amid an ongoing lawsuit involving Deneron and the band's development corporation.

Deneron says the lawsuit is part of the band council's plan to manipulate Monday's election.

RCMP say the same youth and 19-year-old man charged with arson have also been charged with break and enter after the Acho Dene Crafts shop was broken into Monday morning. The craft shop is run by Cathy Kotchea who is also running for chief. Kotchea refused to comment on the incident.

Meanwhile, both Frank Kotchea and Deneron say they're anxious for the election to be over.

"It would be nice to get this over and done so that everyone can settle down," Kotchea said.

Other chief and councillor candidates CBC spoke to said they were aware of the incidents but did not report similar experiences.

The community goes to the polls Monday.