Jim Antoine
Encyclopedia
James L. "Jim" Antoine 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 lead the Northwest Territories government as the eighth Premier
from 1998 to 2000. He has also served as Chief of the Liidlii Kue First Nation on four occasions from the 1970's to present.
, Canada
in 1949. He attended his post secondary education at the University of Wisconsin
and the University of Lethbridge
graduating in 1988 with a management certificate. Prior to his career as Chief Liidlii Kue First Nation. Antoine operated a small private buisness in his home town.
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.
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.
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. He did not stand for re-election to the Premier position and instead was nominated to return to Cabinet. He served out the remainder of his term in office before retiring from territorial politics at the dissolution of the Assembly in 2003.
In 2009 Antoine made a return to first nations leadership he ran for election and won his forth stint in office defeating incumbent Chief Keyna Norwegian and three other candidates.
Northwest Territories
The Northwest Territories is a federal territory of Canada.Located in northern Canada, the territory borders Canada's two other territories, Yukon to the west and Nunavut to the east, and three provinces: British Columbia to the southwest, and Alberta and Saskatchewan to the south...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories from 1991 to 2003. During his time in office he lead the Northwest Territories government as the eighth Premier
Premier of the Northwest Territories
The Premier of the Northwest Territories is the first minister for the Northwest Territories,Canada. He or she is the territory's head of government and de facto chief executive, although the powers of the office are considerably less than those of a provincial premier.Unlike provincial premiers,...
from 1998 to 2000. He has also served as Chief of the Liidlii Kue First Nation on four occasions from the 1970's to present.
Early life
James L. Antoine was born in Fort Simpson, Northwest TerritoriesNorthwest Territories
The Northwest Territories is a federal territory of Canada.Located in northern Canada, the territory borders Canada's two other territories, Yukon to the west and Nunavut to the east, and three provinces: British Columbia to the southwest, and Alberta and Saskatchewan to the south...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
in 1949. He attended his post secondary education at the University of Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin System
The University of Wisconsin System is a university system of public universities in the state of Wisconsin. It is one of the largest public higher education systems in the country, enrolling more than 182,000 students each year and employing more than 32,000 faculty and staff statewide...
and the University of Lethbridge
University of Lethbridge
The University of Lethbridge is a publicly-funded comprehensive academic and research university, founded in the liberal education tradition, located in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, with two other urban campuses in Calgary and Edmonton. The main building sits among the coulees on the west side of...
graduating in 1988 with a management certificate. Prior to his career as Chief Liidlii Kue First Nation. Antoine operated a small private buisness in his home town.
Political career
Antoine was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Northwest TerritoriesLegislative Assembly of Northwest Territories
The Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories or Legislative Council of the Northwest Territories, Canada, is located in Yellowknife. The Assembly is a unicameral elected body that creates and amends law in the Northwest Territories...
in the 1991 general election
Northwest Territories general election, 1991
The Northwest Territories general election, 1991 was the 17th general election in the Northwest Territories history. The election took place on October 15, 1991.Twenty four members were elected to the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly....
. He was re-elected to his second term in the 1995 general election
Northwest Territories general election, 1995
The Northwest Territories general election, 1995 was the 18th general election in the Northwest Territories history. The election took place on October 16, 1995. This was the last election before the Northwest Territories was split in two with the creation of Nunavut.The big issue this election was...
by acclamation and chosen to enter cabinet with the portfolios of Public Works and Services, Transportation and Aboriginal Affairs.
Premier
Antoine was elected premier by his peers midway through the 13th Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly13th Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly
The 13th Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly was the 20th assembly of the territorial government and it lasted from 1995 to 1999. This assembly was dissolved due to the creation of Nunavut.-External links:*...
on December 10, 1998. He defeated Stephen Kakfwi
Stephen Kakfwi
Stephen Kakfwi is a Canadian politician and the ninth Premier of the Northwest Territories.- Early life :...
who also vied for the top job. Antoine replaced acting Premier Goo Arlooktoo
Goo Arlooktoo
Goo "Mosa" Arlooktoo was a politician and former cabinet minister from Northwest Territories, Canada...
who was appointed after Premier Don Morin
Don Morin
Don Albert Morin was the seventh Premier of Northwest Territories, Canada.-Scandal:The initial complaints that led to the investigations by the ethics commissioner were filed with the Northwest Territories ethics commissioner by MLAs Jane Groenewegen and Jeannie Marie-Jewell...
resigned due to conflict of interest allegations.
Antoine ran for a third term in office in the 1999 Northwest Territories general election
Northwest Territories general election, 1999
The Northwest Territories general election, 1999 took place on December 6, 1999, and was the 19th general election in the history of the Northwest Territories, Canada. This was the first election under the new boundaries that were created when Nunavut was carved out of the Northwest Territories...
. He defeated two other candidates including former MLA William Lafferty
William Lafferty
William "Bill" Lafferty was a former politician, Canadian Forces officer and news paper columnist from Northwest Territories, Canada. He served as a member of the Northwest Territories Legislature from 1975 until 1979....
with over 60% of the popular vote to hold his seat.
Antoine was premier during the division that created Nunavut
Nunavut
Nunavut is the largest and newest federal territory of Canada; it was separated officially from the Northwest Territories on April 1, 1999, via the Nunavut Act and the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Act, though the actual boundaries had been established in 1993...
from the eastern half of the territory. He did not stand for re-election to the Premier position and instead was nominated to return to Cabinet. 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.In 2009 Antoine made a return to first nations leadership he ran for election and won his forth stint in office defeating incumbent Chief Keyna Norwegian and three other candidates.