Arthur Milnes
Northern News Services

FORT SIMPSON (May 15/98) - Fort Simpson's tri-council is in crisis.

On Monday, Liidlii Kue First Nation Chief Rita Cli said her group has now withdrawn from the tri-council.

The unique council structure brings together the village, First Nation and Metis Association #52 in one loose governing body. The decision to quit was based on a Metis decision to withdraw association support for the Liidlii Kue construction association's bid to build the new Fort Simpson Health Centre.

"The First Nation was here first," Cli said. "We've always been here and we're not going to take this laying down... We don't like this treatment."

"It (the withdrawal) is effective immediately."

As a result, the First Nation says it will be placing a competitive bid on the project in an open public tendering process. And, they and their joint-venture partner, Yellowknife's PCL Constructors Northern Inc., will do just that the First Nation says.

Liidlii Kue spokespersons also said the GNWT was not willing to undertake an open-book negotiation over the contract. This, they said, also helped lead to the decision.

Local MLA Jim Antoine could not be reached for comment.

For her part, Metis Association president Marilyn Napier, said her group's decision to withdraw their support was reached last week.

"We (began to) fear the contract wouldn't benefit (local) Metis," she said.

And, Napier said she is disappointed the Liidlii Kue First Nation has brought the tri-council system into this dispute.

"I don't think they should take it that far," she said. "There are a lot of other things we agree on. It's too bad it has to have an effect on tri-council because so much positive is accomplished there."

Village Mayor Norm Prevost also could not be reached for comment.

Construction on the new health centre was set to begin next month. This Fort Simpson-based argument is not expected to delay construction for a serious length of time, sources told the Drum.

A formal letter from Liidlii Kue First Nation seeking a further clarification of the Metis position on the contract will be sent this week, the First Nation confirmed as of press time Tuesday.