Thorunn Howatt
Northern News Services
Fort Liard (Jun 25/01) - While his left hand firmly grips tradition and culture, Harry Deneron uses his right hand to push the people of Fort Liard into the future.
"He wants to see our people develop, take control of traditional lands," explained Lidlii Kue First Nations Chief Rita Cli
Cli spoke to News/North at a Fort Liard celebration honouring Deneron Thursday evening.
"He wants to move forward, even if he has to compromise, but still maintain traditional values and use elders as resource people."
Deneron led the Acho Dene Koe through negotiations with oil and pipeline related companies that wanted to take resources from Fort Liard. Deneron encouraged his people to try to work with and benefit from industry.
"He tells us that even when you disagree you still have to talk," said Cli.
Although the celebration was organized to honour Deneron, as well as Elder Stanley Bertrand and Elder Daniel Loman, many recognized it was a chance to dowse some of the sparks of contention that have flared during pipeline negotiations.
Cli described Deneron as someone who can function in two worlds.
"Harry always has country food, traditional food, the food of our culture. One time when I met him in Providence I heard he had boiled rabbit but the women had already taken it from him and cooked it and it had already been eaten.
"I was too late. Everyone else had already surrounded him."
Cli added that Deneron "knows how to talk business. He can show everyone that you don't have to wear a business suit to be a businessman."
The formal ceremony also saw Deneron become only the second honourary chief in the North.
Deneron is a tall, strikingly handsome man. When surrounded by about 200 people he sat modestly, shy about the compliments being showered on him. But when this quiet man speaks everyone listens.
The theme of the speeches by an impressive group of chiefs and industry executives was education and communication. Deneron, who only has a grade four, said education will give his people the advantage they need to make good bargaining decisions in the future.
Deneron was described by Gerry Talbot, a senior land negotiator for BP Canada, as "the smartest man I ever met."
Talbot first came into the Fort Liard area in 1990 with a 45-seat plane dropping off workers from the south along with all of their supplies. Deneron asked him, "Why should I open my lands to you?" and that was the beginning of bargaining.
The stress of the constant struggle to move his people forward combined with the strain on his family has caused Deneron to reconsider his role in with the Aboriginal Pipeline Group.
He resigned from the organization two weeks ago in Hay River.
Aboriginal Pipeline Group member and business leader Doug Cardinal said a hole will be left by Deneron's absence.
