Fort Simpson (Nov 17/06) - Children in Fort Simpson will be short one Christmas present this year.

The Fort Simpson Metis Nation has cancelled its annual Christmas party. The Metis Nation doesn't have enough funding to hold the party this year, said Nola Benwell, the senior administrative officer.

Children in Fort Simpson, like Arron Antoine, won't be receiving gifts this year from Santa at the Metis Christmas party. - NNSL file photo

The Christmas party has been a staple of the holiday season for at least the last 12 years. The annual budget for the event was $15,000 which included the cost of food and presents for about 250 children in the village, Benwell said.

This year, the Metis Nation is short almost $10,000 for the party alone and doesn't have the normal $20,000 that they give in annual donations to community initiatives, she said.

The Metis Nation relied on money from hosting bingos to fund the party. Over the years, the Metis Nation has seen a drop in funds as other groups in the community started to use bingo as fundraisers, said Benwell.

"It started slowly. People started to recognize bingos are a good fundraiser," Benwell said.

This year, when the Metis Nation applied to MACA for bingo licences, it only received one spot a month from September to January.

There used to be two a month, Benwell said.

The decision to cancel the party was difficult, she said.

"The board has struggled with it since August," Benwell said.

The Metis Nation has had a love, hate relationship with the Christmas party, said President Marie Lafferty.

"While we love giving out presents, the party is also a lot of work," she said.

Every year, the Metis Nation spent an average of $20-$25 on each gift and had to travel to other places to buy them so the store in Fort Simpson would not be left empty, she said.

"It's a huge job," said Lafferty.

Other factors also contributed to the decision. Together with the drop in funds, the Metis office has also been getting busier and there are fewer volunteers available to help, Lafferty said.

"We just had to say no to it," said Lafferty.

Following an election call, Lafferty was acclaimed as president last week. This will be her fourth year in the position.

Returning directors Shane Kwasney, Jonas Lafferty, Glen Sibbeston, Barb Sloat and vice-president Danny Peterson were also acclaimed.

The office of the Metis Nation is busier than it's ever been, said Lafferty.

A number of large issues including the Aboriginal Pipeline Group, the Mackenzie Valley pipeline and the federal offer have to be examined, she said. The office has also applied for funds for a socio-impact program they want to design.

"These are all huge things. It's a lot to take in," Lafferty said.

Despite being busy, the Metis Nation regrets not being able to hold the Christmas party.

"It will be missed by the community," Lafferty said.