Emergency meeting doesn't stop C-15
As devolution is approved in Ottawa, Dene leaders gather to discuss next steps
Laura Busch
Northern News Services
Published Monday, March 10, 2014
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
As Bill C-15 was being passed by the Canadian Senate, Dene Nation leadership were gathered in Dettah for an emergency meeting called to discuss devolution and what could be done to stop it.
Gwich'in elder Charlie Snowshoe was frustrated in the last hours of a three-day emergency Dene Nation leadership meeting in Dettah on March 6, as news came in that the Canadian Senate had just passed Bill C-15 the very topic the meeting had been called to discuss. Here, he speaks at the assembly as Deline First Nation Chief Leonard Kenny looks on. - Laura Busch/NNSL photo |
Toward the end of three long days of discussions at the Chief Drygeese Government Building in Dettah - where more than 30 elders and leaders discussed a range of issues, including how inherently unfair the transfer of lands and waters to the territorial government from Canada is in light of the fact that no First Nation in the territory was ever conquered or gave up their lands - news came in that the bill had been approved by the Canadian Senate.
"What the heck have we been doing sitting for the last three days if this is a done deal?" Gwich'in elder Charlie Snowshoe asked on March 6, shortly after the news was shared. "(The GNWT) they're taking over us, and we're sitting back and we're watching."
Now that both houses of Parliament have passed the bill, it is expected to receive royal assent before the end of the month. As of press time, Governor General David Johnston had yet to sign off on the new legislation, that would enact devolution and overhaul the territory's regulatory system, along several other changes contained in the roughly 200-page document.
In an 11th hour attempt to block the legislation, leadership approved a resolution requesting a meeting in Denendeh - the Dene portion of the Northwest Territories - with the Governor General before C-15 receives royal assent.
The Sahtu, Gwich'in, Tlicho and several communities have signed on to devolution but oppose the elimination of regional land and water boards.
"We want written evidence that these governments have legal authority over the Dene who are parties to Treaties 8 and 11 with the Crown," stated Dene National Chief Bill Erasmus in a public announcement on the move. "The Dene leadership are saying that the conduct over fast-tracking Bill C-15 to Royal Ascent is unfair and unjust.
"This proposed bill is a violation upon our treaties which guides how the country functions and therefore goes against the Canadian Constitution Act, 1982."
While devolution was not the only item discussed, it was the reason for the emergency meeting.
Many of the leaders present expressed confusion about the bill, what changes it would make and whether it would impede on aboriginal rights.
"We've been wading through this stuff. It's really, really complicated," said K'atl'odeeche First Nation Chief Roy Fabien.
The GNWT and the federal Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development were on the agenda, however both declined to attend, citing short notice. Erasmus said he had hoped they would be present to go through the proposed changes with leadership, who could then take that knowledge back to their membership.
The Dene Nation had also asked both governments for an undisclosed amount of funding to offset the costs of the emergency meetings, but those requests were denied as well. Both governments cited they had no additional funding so close to the end of the fiscal year.
Several leaders, including Yellowknives Dene elder Edward Sikyea, expressed distrust that the GNWT would recognize treaty rights on the lands they are receiving through devolution, as he believes the right to harvest is being impeded by Department of Environment and Natural Resources officers laying charges on Dene hunters for harvesting caribou and illegally transporting firewood on NWT highways.
Whatever happens with Bill C-15 and the other issues discussed, leadership agreed the focus moving forward needs to be on working together.
"The fight is not in here," said Jean Marie River First Nation Chief Stanley Sanguez. "It's out there ... we are stronger when we stand together."
