Jorge Barrera
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Jun 26/00) - The idea of declaring June 21, Aboriginal Day, a statutory holiday is gaining support in the North.

The suggestion was raised in the legislature last week by Mackenzie Delta MLA David Krutko. He challenged Premier Stephen Kakfwi to make Aboriginal Day a statutory holiday.

"I would recommend to this House that we... consider shutting the House down for the day," said Krutko.

He cited the NWT's high percentage of First Nations people within the territory's population.

"We are not like anywhere else in Canada. The majority of people...are aboriginal here," said Krutko.

Premier Kakfwi replied that there was no push from aboriginal groups, like the Treaty 8 and 11 First Nations or the Metis Tribal Council to turn Aboriginal Day into a statutory holiday.

Even so, the premier wasn't opposed to the suggestion.

"If such suggestion was made collectively, I think it would warrant serious consideration," said Kakfwi.

"The government is willing to do whatever is necessary to show the respect...aboriginal people are due," he added.

Dogrib Treaty 11 Grand Chief Joe Rabesca believes Aboriginal Day should be a statutory holiday.

"There are so many holidays brought upon us; we should have our own holiday," said Rabesca.

"I would love to see it as a holiday," he added. "But it's not a pressing issue."

Akaitcho Treaty 8 Grand Chief Felix Lockhart, of Lutsel K'e, believes a statutory holiday would strengthen relations between Canada and First Nations people.

"Canada has a poor track record in recognizing the aboriginals," he said. "We've only been allowed to vote since 1960. Before then we weren't human.

"A statutory holiday celebrating our culture would increase awareness of our culture and add to overall society," he added.

Recognition of Aboriginal Day was proclaimed four years ago by then Governor General Romeo Leblanc.

In a press release Governor General Adrienne Clarkson said that Aboriginal Day is a relatively new event that tries to acknowledge a 1,000-year-old history.

Government House did not return calls concerning making Aboriginal Day a statutory holiday.

DIAND did not comment.

"I could only wish that it was a statutory holiday," said Rabesca.