Elders want a larger role in leadership

During the Dehcho First Nations annual assembly from June 26-29 a number of elders and delegates discussed the need for elders to have a stronger role in leadership.

Elder Gabe Hardisty from Wrigley presents the findings from a group session that was part of the Dehcho Annual Assembly held in Fort Simpson from June 26-29. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

"We have to listen to our people, our elders, but it seems we are not listening to them enough," said elder Pat Martel from the K'atlodeeche First Nation.

Martel said that elders aren't being given enough information about issues so that they can help and that it's putting them in a bad position.

"If we are going to sit here for the future we would like to see things get better," said Martel.

Elder Leo Norwegian with the Liidlii Kue First Nation raised similar concerns.

"We would still like to get involved and give you some directions," said Norwegian.

Push the plan forward

Delegates at the Assembly addressed the importance of the Dehcho Land Use Plan.

In a resolution that passed unanimously, the Dehcho First Nations (DFN) stated that negotiations on the implementation of the land use plan are a high priority regardless of progress on an agreement in principle. Many delegates spoke against the federal and territorial governments' concerns that too much land is protected under the plan.

"We already own the land," said Roy Fabien, with the K'atlodeeche First Nation.

The government just wants to reduce First Nations' authority on the land, said Fabien.

More leadership meetings

The DFN leadership needs to hold more meetings, according to Chief Lloyd Chicot.

"We need to be more on top of the issues that are in front of us," he said.

There are currently four leadership meetings a year which isn't enough, Chicot said.

"For me that's not enough meetings to get together and talk clearly about these issues," he said.

During the assembly, Chief Berna Landry also suggested that the leaders needed a specific time when they could meet.

Scholarship winners

Malerie Hardisty of the Jean Marie River First Nation has been awarded the Phoebe Nahanni Memorial scholarship worth $12,000. Hardisty is studying towards a Bachelor in the Science of Nursing at Aurora College in Yellowknife.

Thirteen other students have been awarded $2,000 scholarships and an additional 14 were given conditional acceptances.

Animal name change

From now on the animals formally known as wood bison will be called boreal bison by the DFN.

A resolution brought forward by Chief Berna Landry suggested the name change.

"I never thought as a Dene I'd be the one to point out an error in the English language," said Landry.

The bison live in the boreal forest and the singular use of the word wood made the original name incorrect, said Landry.

Board representation

The DFN will be putting forward representatives to sit on the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board (MVLWB) and the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board (MVEIRB).

The opinions of the region have to be brought up on the two boards, said Julian Landry, of the Ka'a'gee Tu First Nation.

A resolution to allow the representatives was passed with 38 votes in favour and 23 abstentions.