DEH GAH GOT'IE KOE/FORT PROVIDENCE - Looking forward at the next two years Joachim Bonnetrouge knows he has a lot of work ahead of him.

Bonnetrouge was elected chief of the Deh Gah Got'ie First Nation in Fort Providence on June 16. With 210 votes Bonnetrouge decisively defeated Berna Landry, the incumbent candidate, who received 94 votes.

Newly elected Chief Joachim Bonnetrouge, left, greets elder Margaret Sabourin and her daughter Corrine Bonnetrouge at a fire feeding ceremony in Fort Providence on June 18. - photo courtesy of Pearl Leishman

"I feel very honoured just thinking about how big the job of chief is now a days," Bonnetrouge said.

Although the role involves more than it did 50 or 100 years ago Bonnetrouge is no stranger to the position. He was chief of the first nation a number of times between 1976 and 1991.

This election sent a clear message, he said. The membership wants to protect the land and the rights given to them under Treaty 11, said Bonnetrouge.

Just a day after the election the new chief and council were already getting down to business. The leadership met on June 17, received the blessing of the former council and discussed short-term goals.

The council would like to hold a two to three day strategic planning session during the summer.

By involving as many community members as possible the council would seek direction for the next two year's priorities, said Bonnetrouge.

Bonnetrouge said he will be sticking to his election promise of keeping the agenda for the council simple by focusing on the top priorities.

Some of Bonnetrouge's goals include separating the band's politics and business, and finding ways to support hunters, trappers and youth to get on the land. Bonnetrouge would also like too see the development of a Deh Gah Got'ie constitution.

Creating a constitution would require serious discussions and negotiations with all of the major families in the community, he said.

Based on traditional values the document would outline relations with the land and between families, Bonnetrouge said.

To help protect the land members of the council will also attend Dehcho Land Use Plan meetings to determine where the process is headed, he said.

"It's going to be hard work because we're working with our own people to get them involved and report to them," he said.

Bonnetrouge said it is encouraging the city has elected a strong council to help with the task.

"It's a good mix," said Bonnetrouge. The new council includes people who are strong in a variety of areas including business, renewable resources and the local culture and language, he said.

"Things are doable and it should be exciting," said Bonnetrouge.

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Band councilors:

Theresa Bonnetrouge- I

Louie Constant- I

Victor J Constant

Edward Landry

Michael Nadli

James Thom- I

Michael Vandell- I

I= incumbent