Paul Bickford
Northern News Services

Hay River Reserve (Oct 14/02) - No firm decisions were made on new directions for K'atlodeeche First Nation at a special assembly last week.

Instead, many options for the future were put forward in a wide-ranging discussion.

That included a look at the KFN's role in the Deh Cho process.

Chief Roy Fabian says some band members are not sure if the Deh Cho process is the way they want to go.

Some would prefer a treaty land entitlement (TLE) process based on Treaty 8.

Fabian says, before any decision is made on the Deh Cho process, the community feels it has to set its agenda first. "Once we decide which direction we're going to go, we'll look at the Deh Cho process and see if it's going to fit. We'll look at maybe land claims or TLE, or whatever."

Late last week, the assembly received an update on the Deh Cho process from negotiators and federal representatives.

Another controversial topic at the assembly was the band's court challenge of the Canada Industrial Relations Board concerning a union drive among band workers.

Fabian says a majority of band members told the leadership to uphold aboriginal rights, even if it means going to court.

"We, as a Dene people, have self-government on our own land and nobody else is going to come in here unless we invite them," he says.

However, Fabian says the band will take another look at the court challenge, which is set for Nov. 12. "If there are other ways that we can deal with the issue then we need to look at those options, but right now that's the only option we've got."

Other issues discussed at the assembly included education, health and economic development.

Fabian says band members want Deh Cho First Nations to build a health centre on the Hay River Reserve.

"We've already warned Deh Cho health and social services that they better start planning on putting a building up for us, because we're not going to continue to operate the way we're doing," he says.