Election day for the Nisga'a Nation

The Nisga'a Nation is going to the polls on Wednesday to elect their first government under the new treaty. The new president and band councils will have much more power and responsibility than they did in the past.

Self-government means they'll be making all the key decisions about forestry, fishing, and how to spend some of the millions of dollars included in the treaty.

Interest appears very high among the 3,000 registered voters.Chief electoral officer Corrine McKay says her office has been getting calls from Nisga'a who don't live in the Nass Valley, who are wondering who they should vote for.

"We cannot direct any calls to any of the candidates, " she says. "In addition, we can't provide any more details other than the names of the candidates."

Interim Nisga'a president Joe Gosnell is being challenged for the top job by educator Shirley Morven and Gary Alexcee of Kincolith.