Fort Simpson (Oct 03/03) - Transferring addictions workers from First Nations' control to territorial government authority may or may not be contrary to the Deh Cho's goal of self-government.

It depends on who you ask. The Deh Cho First Nations (DCFN) are striving to take over most government programs and services.

Herb Norwegian, grand chief of the DCFN, said the GNWT never gave First Nations enough money to administer addictions programs optimally.

"First Nations are just being nickelled and dimed to death trying to keep these programs afloat. It's a money situation," Norwegian contended.

He said that circumstances will change when the Deh Cho achieves a resource royalties agreement with the federal government.

"Until then we're just spinning our wheels and waiting for something to happen... we're constantly at the mercy of governments," said Norwegian.

Kathy Tsesto, chief executive officer of Deh Cho Health and Social Services, said funding is only part of the equation. She said clients expressed dissatisfaction with the existing addictions programs -- their quality, accessibility and "a lack of supports" in some communities.

In addition, addictions workers were seeking higher wages, better benefits and greater job security. As well, the workers wanted access to an "integrated support team" by working alongside other Health and Social Services employees, such as social workers, according to Tsetso.

First Nations did a decent job of running the programs, Tsetso said, but they were having difficulty attracting drug and alcohol workers.

Asked why Health and Social Services couldn't have simply given more money to First Nations to improve the programs, Tsetso replied that her department possesses the clinical supervision, but the addictions workers were answering to First Nations' administration.

"We're trying to build integrated teams and that's one way to do it," Tsetso said of the job transfers. She added that disparities among union employees and non-union employees had been a source of friction in the past.

In addition, Tsetso noted that the Deh Cho health board, which oversees the region's health and social services programs, primarily consists of First Nations trustees from the Deh Cho. The bands recommend who sits on the board, she added.

"(The board) was supported by the DCFN two years ago during the Cuff crisis as part of the self-government process," said Tsetso.

"We don't see ourselves as the GNWT, we see ourselves as Deh Cho Health. This board will go under them (the DCFN after self-government is in place)."