Dave Sullivan
Northern News Services

Hay River Reserve (Mar 15/02) - The grand chief of Deh Cho First Nation will not run for a third term.

Michael Nadli made the announcement March 12 at a gathering of Deh Cho leaders.

"It's been pretty tough these past five years, it's time to move on," he said. "I've thought about it long and hard. I think I've done my part."

A new chief will likely be selected in the summer of 2003, the end of Nadli's second three-year term.

Nadli's decision comes in the wake of divisions within the Deh Cho, and stalled progress toward self-government and gaining control over resource development.

At the same time, getting a self-government process off the ground in the first place has been the biggest accomplishment during his tenure as chief.

Interim agreements signed last year found some common ground with the federal government on negotiating self-government and resources.

"I've made this process my life. I'm proud of my track record," he told the chiefs and elders.

In making his announcement, Nadli addressed criticism he faced about moving recently to Fort Providence. The Deh Cho First Nation office is in Fort Simpson.

"There are some people who want me to resign" over the move, he admitted.

He warned that stepping down prematurely would signal division and weakness to the federal government.

Nadli said he'll commute, and proposed appointing a deputy grand chief to help handle the workload.

A change of chiefs will provide an opportunity to review the position, Nadli suggested.

He recommended that a 1999 resolution that all staffers report to the chief be changed, so more authority could be delegated.

Nadli said he may enter business, work in economic development or return to school.