Terry Halifax
Northern News Services

NNSL (Dec 13/99) - Deline elder Paul Baton was born on the shores of Great Bear lake to Suga and S uzie Baton in 1916.

He worked as an ore carrier at the Port Radium uranium mine and for 26 years at the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs.

Baton was elected as chief in Fort Norman (now Tulita) and Fort Franklin (now Deline) and to this day, retains the respect and admiration of the people.

At 83, Baton still sets and checks his own fish nets, hunts and snares rabbits. He said this season has been good one.

"The hunting has been really good this year," he said. "We went across and got two caribou...they were fat and good for making dry meat. It's good because in the store here everything is so high."

"The rabbits are coming back," he said. "I set snares and been getting lots of rabbits. Good for soup."

Baton worries about the youth of today and says they are losing touch with their heritage.

"Nowadays it's mostly the white man's way," Baton said. "The young people need to listen to the old guys more."

The "old guys" Baton learned from started the first Dene organization back in the 1950s.

"I started with the Indian Brotherhood in 1958 -- that's what they called it before it was the Dene Nation," he said.

His success as chief and advisor came from listening and understanding other's points of view.

"I've been to meetings in Fort Smith, Hay River, Winnipeg and Ottawa," he recalled. "At every one I listen to what they say."

Baton has gathered wisdom from the Dene and the white people he's met though his years and from that knowledge he draws the strength of his experience.

"I've heard lots of nice things from all types of people...I carry that with me and keep it in my pocket," Baton said with a laugh.