NWT - Members of the Dene Nation have committed to establishing a constitution to represent aboriginal people of the North by 2015.

Bill Erasmus: Canadian constitution never recognized First Nations as citizens. - Guy Quenneville/NNSL photo

The Dene Nation hopes to have the constitution in place after working with the territorial and federal governments, according to Dene National Chief Bill Erasmus. Delegates decided on the six-year deadline in a resolution passed July 8 at the 39th Dene Nation Assembly in Lutsel K'e. The resolution was just one of many passed at the assembly, which about 500 people attended.

Eventually, all regions in the North will develop their own constitutions, said Erasmus, who was re-elected during the assembly. Right now, only the Tlicho government has its own constitution. Other groups must follow the NWT Act, which was never designed for First Nations people, Erasmus said.

"It had no intention of, for example, recognizing our people as citizens, as recognized in the Canadian constitution. It was not designed to accommodate us as citizens of the North. Because of that, we need to have a constitution that's designed by our people," he said after returning to Yellowknife on July 9. "We immediately have to begin working to get that in place amongst our own people and also the territorial government also has to endorse the concept."

Erasmus said he plans to get the GNWT on board for the constitutional process when the legislature resumes in fall. In the election for Dene National Chief and Assembly of First Nations regional chief, Erasmus emerged victorious by 27 votes over his opponent, James Ross. Erasmus received 123 votes, while Ross received 96. Three ballots were spoiled.

"It was good that James Ross chose to run for the position. It demonstrated the democratic process that the Dene have been engaged in for the last 39 years," Erasmus said. "It gave people a real opportunity to look at what kind of future they want, so I'm pleased with the outcome."

Erasmus said he wants to talk to Ross about his ideas for the Dene Nation and find a way to work together.

"He talked about change in his election (campaign) and the only time I heard him speak was during the candidates' forum and I wasn't entirely clear on what he meant by change," Erasmus said. "I need to understand where he's coming from and we need to talk about it."

Ross said he's returned to his normal life in Fort McPherson now that the election is over.

"When and if they call, definitely I'll be open to discussions," Ross said, adding that he felt "really good" coming out of the election.

"You just go out there and put yourself out in front of the public and let the voters make a decision and that's as far as you can go. I mean, one could spend a lot of time reviewing; hindsight is always 20/20, they say, but my decision was just to follow the decision that was made and move on."