Mike W. Bryant
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (May 20/02) - The Deh Cho Spring Leadership meeting, May 14-16, got off to a rocky start in Fort Simpson last week.

Liidlii Kue Chief Rita Cli started the debate when she introduced a resolution calling for advisory service dollars to go directly to the band.

Liidlii Kue First Nation wants its $93,000 share of Department of Indian and Northern Affairs advisory services funding to go directly to the band instead of Deh Cho First Nations' coffers.

The matter sparked heated debate Wednesday when several other chiefs sided with Cli, wanting their own share of the $425,000 fund DCFN receives.

"I support Rita Cli's position, because we are also in the same position," said Acho Dene Koe Chief Judy Kotchea.

Cli brushed aside warnings from Grand Chief Mike Nadli that the issue could potentially lead to the break up of the DCFN, saying the requested funds were only small part of their budget.

"We're not breaking away," said Cli on Wednesday. "We just want the advisory money. We're part of the Deh Cho process. We have the biggest membership."

Only two chiefs, Kakisa's Lloyd Chicot, and Trout Lake's Dennis Deneron rejected the resolution.

Martel a no show

Chiefs were also disappointed when K'atlodeeche Chief Pat Martel was a no show.

Nadli told chiefs on Tuesday that he was expecting Martel to appear on the last day of the meeting with news of developments in K'atlodeeche First Nation's ongoing legal dispute with the Public Service Alliance of Canada, who want band office staff unionized.

Some of the items, like the Dene National Assembly agenda, July 8-15, and small communities' taxation, will be picked up during this week's meeting in Trout Lake.

"Quite frankly, I'm disappointed with our agenda," said Nadli, who felt some chiefs came to the meeting unprepared.