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Bevington political legacy lives on in Fort Smith 14 Wednesday October 28 2015 POLITICS MUNICIPAL 6.8103 in x 6.3125 in By CRAIG GILBERT Anneliese Kikoak pauses looks up and to the right weighing her response. She stands in the gymnasium at the Fort Smith Community Recreation Centre her colleagues on council and their friends and supporters scattered and snacking on cake cold cuts and cheese. The mother of four and owner of Annas Home Cooking had just been sworn in as a Fort Smith town councillor exactly where her father outgoing Northwest Territories MP Dennis Bevington started his own po- litical career in 1984. Bevington who also served as mayor from 1988 to 1997 watched from the back row. I was elated to win really happy Kikoak now part of a town council that for the rst time has more women than men said. I feel like this is one of the best opportunities Ive had in my adult life. I think the timing was almost divinely inspired to tell you the truth. Politics is in her blood and it runs deep. Her grandfather Archie Bevington was also a town councillor for several years starting in the late 1960s when Fort Smith was incor- porated. Her great-grandfather George Bev- ington helped create the United Farmers of Alberta Party which formed North Ameri- cas rst social democrat government in 1921. They stayed in power until 1935. Prime Minister-elect Justin Trudeau is the most obvious example of political dy- nasty in Canada while south of the border two Bush men have served in the Oval Ofce and a third has the presidency in his sights. Closer to home NWT Premier Bob McLeod seeking re-election himself in Yellowknife South is the brother of new NWT Liberal MP Michael McLeod. PoliticsisapartoffamiliesBevingtonsaid. Its something that happens across Canada. Perhaps appropriately the swearing-in took place on Back to the Future Day - Oct. 21 2015 the day Marty McFly and Doc Brown transported themselves to via modied De- lorean in the movie of the same name. Kikoak was elected to Fort Smith council on the same day her father was ousted as MP by McLeod in Trudeaus red tide. She was elated to start her own political career but reticent to frame it as a passing of the torch. I felt I was in the right place and I was thrilled to have the drum song dedicated to us because its an honour to represent the town and continue the legacy my dad instilled in me she said. I think my dads torch is still burning pretty brightly so Im just excited about what hes going to do next for himself and his family Fort Smith and the North. Bevington who lives in Fort Smith said municipal politics is a natural place to start a career in public life. Thats the building block he said. Its really a great place for someone with a fam- ily to start their political career. Youre home youre dealing with real issues with real people. Youre dealing with laws planning a whole bunch of things that are essential to the life of a politician and you get them all at the town council level. So how did it feel watching Anna take the oath with RCMP Sgt. Richard Brown 48 hours after the election Wellitsanupmomentformehelaughed. Lets put it that way. Outgoing Northwest Territories MP Dennis Bevington is anked by his daughter incoming Fort Smith Councillor Anneliese Kikoak and her daughter Elizabeth at the Fort Smith councillor swearing-in ceremony Oct. 21. PhotoCraigGilbert