Jorge Barrera
Northern News Services

Snowdrift (Jan 14/02) - Raymond Abel received a $500 cheque before Christmas but didn't spend it buying presents.

The Lutsel K'e man, who now lives and works seasonally in Yellowknife, gave the money back to the band to build a trail from MacLeod Bay to Artillery Lake.

Abel and about 600 Dene of Lutsel K'e each received a $500 cheque last month. The band receives an undisclosed amount from Diavik Diamond Mines for every year the mine operates, according to an agreement signed between the band and the company last September. Only a portion of the money went to the residents. The rest will be used for eduction, recreation, cultural activities, and construction of a new arena in the community.

Abel, 47, wants the band and other Lutsel K'e residents to invest in the trail project. He said part of the territory was heavily used years ago by the Chipewyan.

"It was a harvest trail for food. It's important to save our heritage," he said.

He believes a trail will increase traffic from Lutsel K'e to the area.

"We should get a trail where people could walk or use their snowmachines, considering the days of the dog teams are gone. I want to get the community to do something together."

Abel plans to go to Lutsel K'e soon and push for the project.

The last time Abel tramped through his ancestor's trails along the Lockhart River was in the 1970s.

"I could have used the money," said Abel. "But I want to honour my ancestors that travelled that trail. I remember how beautiful it was."

Lutsel K'e Chief Archie Catholique said many people spent their money on snowmachines. He added he liked Abel's idea and admired his decision to give back the money.