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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - With federal funding missing and the GNWT plan stalled, the Dene Nation says it's willing to take the reins to build a Mackenzie Valley highway.

The Dene leadership passed a resolution Thursday night stating it would immediately develop a proposal to seek federal economic stimulus dollars. This, they hope, will kick-start highway development across the territory.

Dene National Chief Bill Erasmus addresses representatives of Indian and Northern Affairs on the last day of the Dene Leadership meeting in Yellowknife. - Adam K. Johnson/NNSL photo

"Our direction is to be the driving force," said Dene National Chief Bill Erasmus at the Dene Leadership meeting in Yellowknife. "There's a lot of work to be done, but what it means is we want to control with what happens in the North. We don't want people from elsewhere telling us how to accomplish this."

The resolution follows the Conservative government's plan to spend $40 billion stimulating the economy, with $12 billion earmarked for infrastructure spending. Dene leaders said now, when the Conservatives are still deciding how to divvy that money up, is the best time for the nation to make its case.

"They're projecting a $30 billion deficit," Erasmus said while presenting the motion. "If you're going to have a deficit, you may as well get some of that money to do something positive."

Not everyone was sure about the project, however.

"The motion is good, but we're not ready for it," said Sahtu Grand Chief Frank Andrew. "Maybe we should table it for a little down the road."

Others brought up inconsistencies in wording and suggested removing parts, adding others, or shelving the plan entirely.

"This is why I don't like to do business in the Dene leadership," said a visibly frustrated Richard Nerysoo, president of the Gwich'in Tribal Council. "We don't think like businesspeople."

"If we can't even say what projects we support, we won't get anything."

Nerysoo moved the initial motion and was passionate about the need to move quickly.

"There is no leadership on infrastructure development in the NWT. None." he said. "Everyone talks about it, but if no one else is going to do it, we should do it."

After some discussion, the plan was brought to a vote. The motion passed, though four leaders abstained from the vote. None voted against it.

"No one is opposed to the plan," Erasmus said afterwards. "What we're hearing is they just want to take it back to the people."

The resolution came at the end of a 12-hour marathon day of work, the last of the four-day conference. The theme was education, but the Dene leadership meeting also included lengthy discussions with Indian and Northern Affairs, presentations from the GNWT and talks on Northern policing. There were also face-to-face discussions with Premier Floyd Roland, Jackson Lafferty, Monfwi MLA and Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, and Dennis Bevington, Western Arctic MP.

"(Roland) made it clear that he also wants to work with us," Erasmus said.

While the aims are big, the plan is still at its earliest stages, with much work to be done, Erasmus said. Other affected peoples need to be brought on board and plans need to be co-ordinated with the GNWT. And there's no guarantee it will work.

"We have to organize ourselves," Erasmus told the Dene Nation. "We may have to hire economists. We're talking about getting real economic and political stability in our land."

The plan will be in the works through the next leadership meeting in May, which will take place in Inuvik. Following that is July in Lutsel K'e where the nation will hold an election for its national chief. For his part, Erasmus said he still wants the job.

"The last three years went by very quickly," he said. "We're gaining strength and we have confidence in our leadership."

"I'd like to continue in this position."