Terry Halifax
Northern News Services

Fort Resolution (Feb 07/00) - A group of elders are calling for the resignation of Deninu Ku'e chief Don Balsillie, citing a lack of faith, trust and confidence in his leadership.

Spokesman for the Elders of Deninu Ku'e First Nation, Marcel Norn raised allegations of nepotism and favouritism in hiring and mismanagement at the band office.

Another local elder, Joe Calumet is a retired heavy equipment operator from Pine Point. He accused the chief of failing to fulfill the simplest of treaty obligations for the people.

"For one thing, he's supposed to give us a net and shells every year through the treaty agreement," Calumet said. "We didn't see those things at all -- in the last 10 years he's given me two nets; two short ones."

Calumet says the community was supposed to receive funds through a revenue sharing agreement with BHP's Ekati mine project, but as yet, the band hasn't seen anything.

There has been no disclosure or formal meeting to inform the people, Calumet said.

"He don't tell us nothing, no meetings, nothing...he don't try to help out," he said. "(The revenue sharing) is $250,000, it would be nice if they put up a co-op store here and everyone could live a little bit cheaper," he said. "I buy groceries from Hay River, if I buy from this town, I could never afford to live on my $1,600 pension."

Chief Balsillie could not be reached for comment at press time.

The elders have asked for an emergency meeting of the band council to review their complaints.

Their petition was also forwarded to other Treaty 8 chiefs, the federal minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and federal treaty negotiators.