Mike W. Bryant
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Nov 28/01) - Dene leaders say the firing of a top aboriginal bureaucrat shows the government is failing in its commitment to First Nations.

Jake Ootes: Anxious to reach a resolution with the Dene leadership.

"They continue to employ outside personnel while our own qualified people are usually delegated to lower positions," reads part of a motion passed unanimously Friday at the Dene Leadership meeting in Ndilo.

At issue is the hiring of Dr. Loretta Foley as deputy minister for the department of education, culture and employment (ECE) in August. On Nov. 9, Foley fired Pauline Gordon, assistant deputy minister for the department.

Gordon, who is Gwich'in, began her career in her hometown of Aklavik as a classroom assistant in 1976. She was appointed assistant deputy minister of ECE in 1997.

Public outcry over her dismissal was such that the territorial government was forced to backpeddle on Foley's decision.

The Dene Leadership motion calls on the government to review its "commitment to employ more Aboriginal persons at senior levels" and "revisit...the appointment of Loretta Foley ... who was brought in from down south."

Aklavik Indian Band chief Charlie Furlong also questioned the minister's tactfulness in hiring an educator with a Catholic school background in light of high profile court cases in recent years involving sexual abuse at the Catholic Church run Grollier Hall residence in Inuvik during the 1960's and 1970's.

"Although she (Foley) might not be the demon we're talking about, she still represents the system," said Furlong, who attended Grollier Hall from 1963-1966.

"It's the perception right now."

Foley served as superintendent of Yellowknife Catholic Schools for eight years before retiring two years ago. Harold Cook, a victim's advocate with the Grollier Hall Healing Circle in Yellowknife and a supporter of Gordon, said her dismissal "should have been worked out in a caring way."

"That's not showing any dignity to an employee, especially one from the North," said Cook.

On Monday, Jake Ootes, minister of Education, Culture and Employment, defended his deputy minister, pointing out that Foley had no involvement with the administration of residential schools. He said her appointment was based solely on merit, and her long experience as a Northern educator.

"She was superintendent of Yellowknife No. 2 (Yellowknife Catholic Schools) for a long time, and has great credentials," said Ootes.

He added he would like to meet the Dene leadership to reach a resolution on the matter in the near future.

He declined to comment on Gordon's current employment status, reiterating his earlier position that "it's best for everybody to have a little breathing room on this."