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FORT RELIANCE
An upside down Canadian flag and garbage strewn around a cabin site at Fort Reliance sparked anger and disappointment from people in the region last week.

A flag with the words Ni hat’ni Dene and its translation -- watchers of the land – and signatures of Lutsel K'e Dene Band employees flies at a cabin site at Fort Reliance. - photo courtesy of Libby Catling

News/North was sent photos and video of the area, depicting overturned trash cans and the nation's flag upside down with writing on it, which has been flying from a makeshift pole since the beginning of July. Written on the flag in block letters are the words Ni hat’ni Dene and its translation – watchers of the land – which is the name of Lutsel K'e Dene Band's program designed to protect the region. Around the block letters are signatures of various employees of the program.

Libby Catling and her husband were passing by the area earlier this month when they noticed the flag, prompting her to write a letter in which she expressed her displeasure.

"It is very disrespectful. I am personally affronted by it. Both Roger and I come from strong military families, and have lost loved ones who served Canada faithfully until their deaths. They gave their entire lives for the honour of Canada," she stated.

As for the garbage, Catling wrote that it included several bags and among the trash was unburned food that had attracted a black bear, which they observed digging through the mess.

"This is very dangerous to others in the area as it brings in bears who become accustomed to seeking out human garbage," the letter reads.

Catling also wondered what kind of impression the garbage and the flag would make on tourists who frequent the area.

"There is a lively eco-tourist trade in this area, with people travelling from all over the world to see the Lockhart River and Pike's Portage, spending large sums of money to get here," she stated. "It is inevitable that they pass by this site as they canoe or kayak through the East Arm Archipelago. We are saddened and embarrassed that this is what they are seeing on their wilderness tours of the East Arm of Great Slave Lake."

On Thursday, News/North contacted the Lutsel K'e Dene Band about the photos, which officials in the community received shortly after, sparking a meeting between Ni hat’ni Dene staff and the band.

Ray Griffith, band manager, contacted News/North following the conclusion of the meeting, which included band councillors, to discuss the band's plans to resolve the matter.

In respect to the garbage at the site, Griffith said people living in the area will often drop garbage there knowing band staff are paid to either burn the waste or haul it back to the Lutsel K'e dump. He added it is not an accepted practice, but because the site is not staffed 24-hours a day it is hard to control illegal dumping.

He added, the garbage depicted in the photo -- taken on Aug. 17 – must have been placed there after Aug. 11, the last day of work for band staff at the site for the year.

Speaking of the upside-down flag, Griffith said the band had no prior knowledge and "it is not a statement by the Lutsel K'e Dene First Nation of any sort."

Griffith also emphasized no disrespect was meant by the flag, which was put up by youth staff members who thought it would be humorous. He said one of the youth workers brought the flag to the site and was unsure if a flag normally flies there. However, because youth staff and adult supervisors are paired together at all times, he said the band has taken disciplinary action against the supervisor who should have known better. The youth workers responsible will also be spoken to, Griffith said.

A boat was also sent out to the site the same day to clean up the mess and take down the flag, said Griffith.

Future training will also ensure staff understand the need to uphold the image of the Ni hat’ni Dene program, which is based around respect. Griffith says its a mandate the band takes seriously.

"The primary responsibility of the Ni hat’ni Dene program is to teach others and talk to others about respect for the land and keeping the land clean," said Griffith.

Since the program began a few years ago it has expanded from simply offering interpretive services to travellers and serving as custodians of the land to water and fish monitoring. Griffith said the hope is to continuously expand and improve the program.

"It was designed after the Haida Gwaii," said Griffith, referring to the Queen Charlotte Islands, B.C., aboriginal group whose sacred totem sites were falling victim to vandalism. "They set up a program where elders and youth stay at the sites to protect them."

Griffith said he appreciates and welcomes criticism of any of the sites the band helps to maintain, adding band staff are committed to keeping them clean. Although he appreciates the band being made aware of the problem, he said he'd hope in the future it be given the opportunity to address issues before they are sent to media.

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