by Arthur Milnes
Northern News Services

WIGLEY (Dec 05/97) - In a clear shot at the Deh Cho First Nations (DCFN), members of the Pehdzeh Ki First Nation (PKFN) in Wrigley say leadership decisions in their community are theirs - and theirs alone - to make.

Earlier this year, a leadership sobriety clause for the position of DCFN grand chief was passed as part of resolutions at the annual assembly in Kakisa.

Saying he supported the clause's intention, former PKFN Chief Tim Lennie resigned last month, saying he couldn't speak publicly against drug and alcohol use when he himself still used drugs.

Now, PKFN members have passed a resolution publicly stating that no other political organization has the right to dictate who has the right to lead them.

"Members of the Pehdzeh Ki First Nation present emphatically stated that individuals are selected for leadership qualities and that no other organization will dictate whether PKFN's leadership meets their leadership criteria or not," minutes of a public meeting held Nov. 25 state.

"...The Pehdzeh Ki First Nation will determine who their leaders will be and the leadership of other First Nations will have to accept and respect this choice of leadership."

Members also passed a motion stating that sobriety was one of the guidelines for PKFN leadership positions.

And, at the same meeting, PKFN members asked Lennie to return as chief.

"The membership doesn't want to have to worry about the leadership after-hours," Lennie said Monday when asked about his intentions. "It (the resolution) is not only directed at the DCFN but governments in general."

Should he receive unanimous backing, Lennie says he will again assume the position of chief.

Nominations for the position close tomorrow with an election scheduled for Dec. 11.

"We have to give people time, even in the leadership," he said. "All I can say is that I will do the best I can but that drugs and alcohol cannot be used during work hours."

PKFN band manager Mike Canadien used stronger language.

"No one is going to tell us how to select our chief," he said. "If we feel the person is up to the job -- if he indulges or not -- it is his or her choice. Nobody is going to dictate to us."

At the DCFN, communications co-ordinator Richard Lafferty said that the Kakisa sobriety resolution, in fact, was passed in regard to the position of DCFN grand chief.

"The DCFN can not and does not give direction to any of the organizations that it is made up of," he said. "Whether it is a Metis president or chief, that (sobriety) is up to the community."

Though a DCFN leadership meeting was recently held in Wrigley, Lafferty said that sobriety for leaders was not on the agenda.