Roger Allen (cross-country skier)

Last updated

Roger T. Allen (born 5 May 1952 [1] ) in Aklavik, Northwest Territories, [2] from Gwich'in First Nations, [3] is a Canadian former cross-country skier who competed in the 1972 Winter Olympics [4] and a former territorial-level politician from Northwest Territories, Canada.

Contents

Cross-country skiing

Allen was one of six of eight cross-country skiers sent to the 1972 Olympics who came from the Mackenzie Delta town of Inuvik, Northwest Territories. [5] Allen finished 50th in the 15 km men's and 13th in the relay 4x10 men's races. [2] Roger was part of the Territorial Experimental Ski Training Program at Grollier Hall (Residential School). [6] Growing up, Allen was exposed to multiple sports in the parochial school system in Inuvik which helped him balance education, sport, and spirituality. [7] After retiring from his Olympic career, Allen is now an MLA for the Territorial government, and a cabinet minister. [8]

Politics

After retiring from his Olympic career, Allen became a MLA for the Territorial government, and a cabinet minister. [8]

Allen was first elected to the Northwest Territories Legislature in the 1999 Northwest Territories general election. He defeated future Commissioner Glenna Hansen to win the new Inuvik Twin Lakes electoral district. Allen was re-elected in the 2003 Northwest Territories general election defeating three other candidates with 55% of the vote.

Allen became mired in a scandal after he was found to be living in a residence outside of the Northwest Territories in Grimshaw, Alberta. He swore an affidavit that he lived in a residence just outside Inuvik, Northwest Territories to gain access to the Capital Housing Allowance granting him $25,000 a year for residence in Yellowknife. [9] Allen was forced to appear before a board of inquiry and forced to return $10,000 retroactive to April 1, 2004. [10]

He resigned his seat on October 12, 2004, citing family and personal issues as the reason for stepping down. [11]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northwest Territories</span> Territory of Canada

The Northwest Territories is a federal territory of Canada. At a land area of approximately 1,127,711.92 km2 (435,412.01 sq mi) and a 2021 census population of 41,070, it is the second-largest and the most populous of the three territories in Northern Canada. Its estimated population as of the second quarter of 2024 is 44,920. Yellowknife is the capital, most populous community, and the only city in the territory; its population was 20,340 as of the 2021 census. It became the territorial capital in 1967, following recommendations by the Carrothers Commission.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inuvik</span> Arctic town in the Northwest Territories, Canada

Inuvik is the only town in the Inuvik Region, and the third largest community in Canada's Northwest Territories. Located in what is sometimes called the Beaufort Delta Region, it serves as its administrative and service centre and is home to federal, territorial, and Indigenous government offices, along with the regional hospital and airport.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2003 Northwest Territories general election</span>

The 2003 Northwest Territories general election was held on November 24, 2003, to elect the 19 members of the Legislative Assembly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories</span> Single house of legislature of the Northwest Territories

The Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly, or Legislative Council of the Northwest Territories, is the legislature and the seat of government of Northwest Territories in Canada. It is a unicameral elected body that creates and amends law in the Northwest Territories. Permanently located in Yellowknife since 1993, the assembly was founded in 1870 and became active in 1872 with the first appointments from the Government of Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nick Sibbeston</span> Canadian politician (born 1943)

Nick G. Sibbeston is a retired Canadian politician, serving from 1985 to 1987 as the fourth premier of the Northwest Territories.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">15th Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly</span>

The 15th Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly was the 23rd sitting legislature or council in Northwest Territories history. It lasted from 2003 until September 3, 2007. The primary membership was elected in the 2003 Northwest Territories general election. There were two by-elections conducted during the interim.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nellie Cournoyea</span> Canadian politician

Nellie Cournoyea is a Canadian politician, who served as the sixth premier of the Northwest Territories from 1991 to 1995. She was the first female premier of a Canadian territory, first Indigenous female premier (Inuvialuk) of a Canadian province / territory and the second female premier in Canadian history after Rita Johnston of British Columbia.

James Arreak is a territorial and municipal level politician in Canada. He has served as a member of both the Nunavut and Northwest Territories legislatures.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2007 Northwest Territories general election</span>

The 2007 Northwest Territories general election took place on October 1, 2007. Nineteen members were elected to the Legislative Assembly from single member districts conducted under first-past-the-post voting system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Floyd Roland</span> Canadian politician

Floyd K. Roland is a politician from Northwest Territories, Canada. He was the 11th premier of the Northwest Territories, having held office from October 17, 2007 to October 26, 2011.

Vince Steen was a politician. He served as a municipal councilor of Tuktoyaktuk and later became mayor. Afterwards he was also a member of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories. Prior to politics he was also civil servant, heavy equipment operator and a licensed watercraft operator.

Fred Koe is a former territorial level politician and Member of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest territories from 1991 to 1995. He was born in Aklavik.

Thomas H. Butters, was a politician from Northwest Territories, Canada. He had a long career as a Member of the Northwest Territories Legislature from 1970 until 1991.

Rebekah Uqi Williams was a Canadian politician who served as the acting commissioner of Nunavut from June 22, 2020, when Nellie Kusugak's term ended, until January 14, 2021, when Eva Aariak took office. She served as the Deputy Commissioner of Nunavut from December 20, 2019 until December 2022. She also served as a former territorial level politician from Arctic Bay, Northwest Territories, now part of Nunavut. Williams previously served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut from 2000 until 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peter Taptuna</span> Canadian politician

Peter Taptuna is a Canadian politician who served as the third premier of Nunavut from 2013 to 2017.

Shirley Firth was a Canadian cross-country skier who competed in four consecutive Winter Olympics in 1972, 1976, 1980 and 1984.

Sharon Firth is a Canadian former cross-country skier who competed in the Winter Olympics in 1972, 1976, 1980 and 1984. Firth's mother was Gwich'in and her father was Métis. She and her sister grew up in the Gwich'in First Nation.

Roseanne Allen was a Canadian cross-country skier who competed in the 1972 Winter Olympics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 Northwest Territories general election</span>

The 2019 Northwest Territories general election was held on October 1, 2019. Nineteen members were elected to the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories.

References

  1. Canadian Who's Who Search. Grey House Publishing Canada.
  2. 1 2 "Roger Allen". Olympic Team Canada. 18 September 2011. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  3. "Meet Canada's Indigenous Olympians". CBC. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
  4. Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Roger Allen". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  5. "Sapporo, Japan, Feb 3-13, 1972". Cross Country Ski de Fond. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  6. Canada's Residential Schools: The History, Part 2, 1939 to 2000: The Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, Volume 1. ISBN   0773598200.
  7. "The Beauty of Their Dreams: Factors Contributing to the Success of Athletes from the Northwest Territories" (PDF). Sport North. Dr. Mike MacPherson, Ed.D. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
  8. 1 2 Peck, Charlene (30 June 2006). "Book inspired by Inuvik skiers' guts and glory". Muskoka Region. Huntsville Forester. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
  9. "Where in the world is Roger Allen?". CBC News. July 16, 2004. Retrieved 2015-11-14.
  10. "MLA Roger Allen Requested To Appear Before Legislative Assembly Board of Management to Explain Place of Residence". NWT Legislative Assembly. August 11, 2004. Archived from the original on May 14, 2006. Retrieved 2007-09-15.
  11. "Roger Allen resigns as MLA for Inuvik Twin Lakes". Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly. October 13, 2004. Archived from the original on May 14, 2006. Retrieved 2007-09-15.
Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories
Preceded by
New District
MLA Inuvik Twin Lakes
1999-2004
Succeeded by