Deninu Ku'e First Nation to sign on to devolution
Fort Resolution band doesn't want to be left behind, says Chief Balsillie
Paul Bickford
Northern News Services
Published Monday, February 3, 2014
DENINU KU'E/FORT RESOLUTION
Deninu Ku'e First Nation (DKFN) in Fort Resolution has decided to sign on to devolution.
"It's going to move forward, and if you're not on the ship, it's going to leave without you," said Chief Louis Balsillie. "We can't sit back and let that happen. We got to be involved in it."
In particular, he believes being part of devolution will give the First Nation more of a say about resource extraction in Akaitcho Territory, and more benefits.
Balsillie said DKFN council unanimously passed a band council resolution in support of becoming part of devolution at a special meeting on Jan. 26.
A signing ceremony is expected to take place in Fort Resolution later this month.
DKFN becomes the only First Nation in the Akaitcho Territory to sign on to the agreement that will see some powers transferred to the GNWT from Ottawa on April 1.
Premier Bob McLeod is welcoming Deninu Ku'e into the devolution process.
"Devolution is a positive step for the territory that we have been working toward for years," McLeod wrote in a statement to News/North. "Participation of aboriginal governments will be critical to successful implementation and we're pleased that the Deninu Ku'e First Nation wants to join with us and the other participating aboriginal governments in creating a strong, prosperous Northwest Territories. We welcome them and look forward to a signing event in the near future."
The premier added the GNWT is also talking to Fort Liard's Acho Dene Koe First Nation, noting it is interested in signing on, and continuing to work with the Dehcho First Nations and Akaitcho Treaty 8 Tribal Corporation to see them become part of the devolution process.
Balsillie said DKFN had been in discussions with Lutsel K'e Dene First Nation and the Yellowknives Dene First Nation about a united stance on devolution from Akaitcho Territory.
At a meeting in November, it was agreed that each First Nation would talk to their band councils about what they want to do with devolution.
"Then we've been waiting, waiting to find out what we're going to do at the Akaitcho level, and we didn't move forward on it," Balsillie said. "We're still not moving forward on it."
Asked what made DKFN move alone on the issue right now, the chief replied, "The deadline, April 1, 2014. Our time is ticking away on us. If you're not on, you're not going to get anything."
It is expected the band will sign on to devolution at the same time it signs a forest management agreement related to a proposed wood pellet mill in Enterprise.
Balsillie believes people want devolution, but don't want a proposed super board which would be created by joining four regional land and water boards.
As for whether DKFN's decision on devolution might create a rift in Akaitcho, Balsillie said, "I sure hope not. We're all part of the Akaitcho. We have different opinions on stuff and we still talk with one another. We still carry on with our meetings."
The chief said, among the benefits for DKFN from devolution, will be more funding and more influence on GNWT decisions.
"By signing on, it gives us the benefit to talk government to government," he said. "I mean in the past we did, but it seemed like every time you picked up the phone and called their office you could never get a reply back. I'm hoping this will change it."
Balsillie doesn't think any new government positions will be coming to Fort Resolution or other small or isolated communities as a result of devolution.
An attempt to obtain a comment on the DKFN decision from Akaitcho Territory Government was unsuccessful.
The devolution agreement has already been signed by the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, the Northwest Territory Metis Nation, the Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated, the Gwich'in Tribal Council and the Tlicho Government.
