Jorge Barrera
Northern News Services

Aklavik (Jun 19/00) - The National Chief of the Dene Nation believes the future of the nation may lie in the displacement of the GNWT.

Bill Erasmus says the GNWT isn't working.

At a media briefing on the Dene leadership meeting held earlier this month in Aklavik, Bill Erasmus said that the GNWT is maintaining the status quo and not First Nation interests.

"(The GNWT) is not working," he said.

"That the future of the Dene Nation is to replace the GNWT is definitely in the works and discussions."

He said it is the Dene Nation's role to protect the interests of its people and downplayed recent questions about the organization's role.

"Things are changing," he said, adding, "we shouldn't question whether it shouldn't exist, as long as there is a Dene there will be a Dene Nation."

In Aklavik, chief Charlie Furlong said an organizational review is overdue.

"We have to determine whether or not that organization has outlived its purpose or can it be restructured to being amore effective tool on our behalf," said Furlong.

At the press conference, Erasmus said the Dene Nation is just as important now as it ever was.

He pointed to recent taxation by the federal government on the Dene as an infringement of their treaty and aboriginal rights.

"Treaty 8 and Treaty 11 guarantee immunity," he said.

Erasmus also stressed the need for funding from the federal government.

"We've had to beg borrow and steal to get by," he said, adding, "Canada acts like we're not necessary."

Only 17 of 30 bands were represented at the leadership meeting.

The Dene National Assembly will be held in Fort Resolution from July 24-29, to discuss taxation, gun control and elect a new national chief.