Andrew Raven
Northern News Services

Rae-Edzo (June 27/05) - Standing on the single lane bridge that connects the two halves of Rae-Edzo, newly-elected Tlicho councillor Mabel Bohnet is awash in symbolism.

A pioneering member of the first aboriginal self-government in the North, Bohnet and her colleagues face the challenge of bridging traditional Tlicho culture and modern politics.

"We are in charge of our own destiny," said Bohnet, the lone female elected to the new government. "People want a change. It is exciting."

Nearly 85 percent of eligible voters cast a ballot in the elections last Monday - a testament to the importance of the new government.

There is widespread hope in the four Tlicho communities that the new leaders can reverse years of drinking, drug abuse, domestic violence and economic depression.

"This government, with the grace of God, is the only thing that will work," said councillor-elect Michael Botermans.

The Tlicho Agreement, which formed the basis of the new government, was signed in 2003 and took nearly two years to weave its way through the territorial and federal legislatures.

The pact sets aside 39,000 square-kilometres of traditional Tlicho land in the North Slave - territory that is home to about 3,500 largely aboriginal residents.

Unlike other land claim settlements in the Northwest Territories, the agreement creates a 13-member Tlicho government that could eventually manage everything from health care, to education to taxation.

The deal is just the second of its kind in Canada - only the Nisga'a of Northeastern British Columbia enjoy a similar level of self-determination.

During its infancy, the Tlicho assembly will maintain close ties with the federal and territorial governments; they will continue to provide health care, education and other social services for the next 10 years.

The fledgling government will also receive $152 million in financial support over 14 years - money that will be placed into a trust fund - and share royalties from mineral development in the Mackenzie Valley.

The full transfer of powers to the Tlicho assembly could take decades, but that has not dampened the enthusiasm of residents and newly-elected politicians.

"We have never had this much control," Bohnet said.

Optimism abounds

There is optimism the new government will finally be able to tackle two long-standing problems in the region: unemployment and alcohol abuse.

"There is hardly anything going on here," said Barbara Zoe, standing outside one of the few office buildings in Rae-Edzo. "Hopefully our new leaders can change that."

Statistics suggest they will face an uphill battle. The average income in Rae - which contains nearly 65 per cent of the Tlicho population - is about $28,000 annually, or about 50 per cent lower than the territorial average.

Those numbers drop significantly in Gameti and Wha Ti, which rank in the bottom third territorially when it comes to average income. The government did not publish results for tiny Wekweti during its latest release of economic statistics.

The same numbers suggest that while income figures remain below the territorial average, many residents have benefited from mineral development in the region.

Many community members worry that increased prosperity - buoyed largely by the Diavik and Ekati diamond mines - has contributed to an increase in alcohol abuse and crime.

Statistics from the territorial government show a strong correlation between the two: the average income in Rae jumped nearly 35 per cent between 1999 and 2003 while criminal complaints almost doubled between 1996 and 2003.

"Alcohol and drugs are a serious problem," said Zoe. "And I think people want a change."

Traditional Tlicho notions of justice and healing have not always been compatible with their Western equivalents. The result has been an uneasy marriage between the two legal systems.

Zoe and others hope the new government will incorporate traditional beliefs and practices into the justice system - something that could lower the higher-than-average percentage aboriginals in behind bars.

There are those in the community, however, who question whether the new government has the capability and desire to tackle complex social issues like crime.

"Personally, I don't think they are ready," said one woman, who asked not to be identified. "I think things could end up being exactly the same."

Non-Tlicho chosen to lead

When the Tlicho bill was winding its way through parliament, critics said the legislation would create a race-based institution. (Non-Tlicho cannot run or vote for chief).

While the government remains firmly an aboriginal venture an interesting thing happened last Monday: Michael Botermans, a non-Tlicho originally from Ontario received more votes than any other councillor.

"I think it was a cry for help," said Botermans, stroking his chest-length grey and black beard. "People were looking for someone to forcefully advocate on behalf of children and women."

The voluble Botermans - who says his best political asset is his "big mouth" - has lived in Rae since the late 1980s and spent nearly all that time working with children. He is the architect of Rae-Edzo's powerhouse soccer program, which has transformed the lives of dozens of teenagers by offering them a diversion from drugs and alcohol.

Botermans believes the new Tlicho government should avoid vague platitudes and instead take concrete steps to provide better facilities and more after-school programs for children.

"I hear people say things like 'Children are our future' and I think 'No shit,'" Botermans said. "We don't need slogans. Kids need to know there is more to life... than drinking and drugs. We have the moral obligation to (actually) do that."

Few female reps

The transition to sound leadership, Botermans said, will likely take several years.

Already, there are fears the new government may not fully represent its constituents. The election Monday saw Tlicho women almost completely shut out of office: 27 of the 28 council positions went to men along with all four chieftainships.

Madeliane Chocolate, who finished second in the balloting for chief of Gameti, said the election was a "step backwards" for gender equality in Tlicho politics.

"The whole election really disappointed me," Chocolate said Tuesday. "The men are rejoicing, but I feel terrible for the women."

Tlicho women have traditionally played second fiddle on the political scene, something that often causes their concerns to be overshadowed, Chocolate said. Chief among those is undoubtedly the alarmingly high rate of domestic violence in the territory, which is nearly seven times the national average.

"What has changed?" Chocolate asked. "Dogrib men have ruled the roost for so long. (The election) was a repetition of the past."

The next four years will be crucial for the development of the Tlicho government, Botermans said.

"We cannot afford any mistakes. We cannot fall back on the territorial government. The future begins and ends with us." Botermans believes that process begins with an accountable and alcohol-free leadership, ideas that have gained support throughout the community.

"We have to learn from Henry Zoe," said one woman, referring to the embattled former North Slave MLA who resigned earlier this month after a conviction for resisting arrest - his fifth since the late 1970s.

"We became a laughing stock," said the woman who has lived in Rae her entire life. She asked that her name not be used.

While the government wrestles with those divisive issues, community members are hopeful they can make progress on less contentious topics ranging from job-training to repairing pocked-marked streets.

"I would like to see them fix the potholes," said Sonny Simpson, on a rain-soaked Wednesday afternoon in Rae. "Especially today."