Adam Johnson
Northern News Services
Published Monday, December 10, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - While he has encountered several hurdles in his first months as premier, Floyd Roland faced a new challenge this week: the Dene leadership.

Roland made a brief statement and answered questions from Dene chiefs from across the territory Dec. 6 during the last scheduled day of the Dene leadership meeting in the Tree of Peace Friendship Centre in Yellowknife.

"I am confident we can serve our residents if we work together," said Roland, in what would become the refrain of his few hours at the Tree of Peace.

Some leaders were conciliatory towards the new leader, hoping for a fruitful partnership with the GNWT.

"As a new government leader, we will pass on our kind, positive words (to you)," said Tlicho Grand Chief George Mackenzie, emphasizing the same should come in return. "If we do that, we will work (well) together."

Leaders from all five of the Dene leadership's regions posed questions to the premier, taking the time to point out the various challenges their communities are facing.

"Not every community gets the same services that Yellowknife does," said Behchoko Chief Leon Lafferty. "Everyone should have the same opportunities."

"I won't try to sugarcoat it," Roland said in response. "If we provided the same level of services in every community, we'd have to shut down some communities."

Devolution and resources revenue sharing also reared its head. Lafferty and other chiefs called for taking a united stance to Ottawa for a bigger pieces of the resource pie.

Ndilo Chief Fred Sangris, however, suggested a more protracted approach. "It's hard (to participate) when your rights are being carved out," he said of the ongoing Akaitcho land claims process.

"I think the only way to be fair to everyone in the NWT is to wait until land settlements are completed."

Roland said his government is focused on the "here and now," rather than on lofty goals that may never come to pass.

"I won't make promises I can't keep," he said.