Jorge Barrera
Northern News Services

Rae (June 17/02) - The Rae band will incorporate its seven businesses in the next two weeks in a move to boost its fledgling economy and prevent political meddling.

The new corporation will be called Behcho Ko Corporation, and include Rae Band Construction, Tli Cho Landtram, Tli Cho Logistics, Wolverine Sports, NSR Employment solutions, Tli Cho Explosives and Tli Cho Facilities.

The move is being hailed as a major step forward by the corporation's new chief executive officer, band councillor George Mackenzie, who was appointed to the new position June 2.

"I think it's long overdue," said Mackenzie. "It's a big step forward."

Since 1994, the band's business revenues have ballooned from around $2 million to $30 million.

Its business assets have jumped to $14 million, it now employs around 150 Dogrib and has an annual payroll of $5.5 million.

Dale Getty, the new corporation's chief operational officer, is a veteran of joint ventures between industry and First Nations from his time with ATCO Frontec and was a director with the Canadian Council for Aboriginal business.

Getty said the new corporation was necessary for growth.

"Under the present organization we were not able to grow," said Getty. "There was a capacity shortfall."

The corporation's leadership is made up of the two chief officers and a board of 12 directors -- the band chief, two councillors, six band members and three outside members from the industry sector.

Mackenzie, a former school principal, said the new corporation creates a necessary division between business and politics.

"If you just concentrate on business and not politics you don't get side-tracked," said Mackenzie.

Alex Nitisza, president of the Regional Dogrib Nation Group of Companies, said the new corporation will create new joint-venture opportunities between the two Dogrib corporations.

"There will be more opportunities for business," said Nitisza, who lives in Wha Ti.

But the corporation's life could be short, with settlement of the Dogrib land claim around the corner.

Getty said the corporation will probably be rolled into the new business structures that the land claim will create.

"We couldn't wait for the land claim to be settled," said Mackenzie.

Mackenzie said the new corporation will give Dogrib post-secondary students a chance to flex their business skills once they get out of colleges and universities.

Since 1994, the number of students attending post-secondary institutions has rocketed to 100.

"With their education they are going to be better professionals," said Mackenzie. "We are pursuing opportunities for the next generation to come."