Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Jean Marie River (May 30/03) - Deh Cho elders will retain a prominent role in the selection of the region's next grand chief in June.

After nearly two days of debate at last week's Deh Cho First Nations spring leadership meeting, delegates agreed to the following process:

• Those who want to run may do so provided they have the support of an elder and a chief.
• All the candidates will be screened by the elders' committee.
• Whoever isn't screened out will run in an election at the Deh Cho Annual Assembly in June.
• If the elders only recommend one candidate, the delegates would still have to endorse that individual.

At last week's meeting, opinion varied widely on the issue.

Randy Sibbeston, president of the Fort Simpson Metis Nation, not only wanted an election, he wanted the polls to be open to all Deh Cho residents including non-aboriginals. A public election would help make the Deh Cho First Nations a legitimate authority, Sibbeston suggested.

It would also pose a challenge to the established territorial government, which employs many Deh Cho people, he noted.

Chiefs Dennis Deneron of Trout Lake and Lloyd Chicot of Kakisa -- both of whom have been given mandates by their respective elders -- pointed out that chiefs were never elected in the past.

Nadli supports elders

Outgoing Grand Chief Michael Nadli also took a side, favouring Dene custom.

"I stand behind the elders very strongly. They know who we are," said Nadli, adding that elections shouldn't be even required at the band level.

Chief Roy Fabien of the Hay River reserve wanted to tackle another divisive topic first. He urged his counterparts to address the lack of unanimous support for the direction of Deh Cho Process self-government negotiations.

"We're at a crossroads here," Fabien warned, but the discussion didn't change course on Thursday.

The grand chief's position will need to be filled at the Deh Cho Assembly in Kakisa next month when Nadli completes his second term. Despite the elders' blessing, he reiterated last week that he will not be seeking another three years in office.

The selection process for a grand chief had also stirred impassioned debate at the Deh Cho Assembly in 2000. At that time, elders surprised the leadership by recommending that Nadli be granted a second term.

Although some delegates demanded an election be held as scheduled, a resolution was passed by the leadership to accept the elders' recommendation but examine the selection process for 2003.