Northern News Services

Fort Smith (May 20/02)The Akaitcho Territory First Nations want Dene National Chief Bill Erasmus fired. -

They released a notice of motion Friday that will ask the Dene Nation assembly in July to remove Erasmus from the post.

During a May 16 vote in Fort Smith, five chiefs supported the motion and there was one abstention.

In favour were Yellowknives chiefs Richard Edjericon and Peter Liske, Deninu Ku'e Chief Robert Sayine, Salt River First Nations Chief James Schaefer, and Lutsel K'e councillor Antoine Michel, by proxy for Chief Archie Catholique.

Smith Landing First Nation councillor Eileen Flett, representing Chief Fred Daniels, abstained.

Under Dene Nation constitution, a motion needs the support of five chiefs to be forwarded to the assembly.

At issue are Erasmus' activities with the national Assembly of First Nations (AFN).

The Akaitcho chiefs accuse him of unilaterally naming himself "regional vice-chief for the North at the AFN level without a vote of the Chiefs from our Region." They also accused Erasmus of setting his own salary.