by Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services

NNSL (Nov 26/97) - Though an advisory group hasn't been formed yet, the city is already getting, and following, advice from the public on how to approach the transfer of health and social services control from the GNWT.

Yellowknife Women's Centre executive director Arlene Hache told city council Monday the committee it plans to form to marshal community input is too large, has too many seats for the city and the Yellowknives Dene, reserved a seat for the wrong Metis organization and should have more input into the hiring of a consultant.

Hache said it's standard practice for advisory committees to be involved in hiring of consultants. The city could also be a little more welcoming of the expertise available within the community, she added.

"I would expect the city to invite groups like the Women's Centre, YACCS (Yellowknife Association of Concerned Citizens for Seniors) and the YWCA to participate on the committee ... to ensure those people doing frontline work are there," said Hache.

The city advertised last week for applications from those interested in sitting on the committee.

North Slave Metis Alliance representatives Bob Dowdall and Sholto Douglas also took exception to the makeup of the committee.

Dowdall said calling for representatives from the NWT Metis Association, if such an association existed, would be the equivalent of asking for representatives from the Dene Nation, rather than the Yellowknives Dene.

The 17-member committee the city proposed was to be chaired by deputy mayor Blake Lyons and would include one other alderman, three members of city staff, a public administrator, six members of the public, three Yellowknives Dene, one "NWT Metis Association" representative and one from Stanton Regional Hospital.

City administrator Doug Lagore said Hache was wrong to argue the Yellowknives Dene would be pursuing a separate health and social services agreement with the territorial government, saying any arrangement they made would "fall out" of this one.

As for the Yellowknives representation on the committee, Lagore said "there has been a commitment made to them by the deputy minister for three members on the advisory committee."

After Monday's presentations council trimmed the committee to 14 members.

It will now be composed of Lyons, two members of city administration, three members of the Yellowknives Dene, one North Slave Metis Alliance representative, one public administrator and six representatives from outside of government.

Council decided the committee will elect its own chairman.