A feast to celebrate self-government
"We're just getting started," says Deline chief
Shane Magee
Northern News Services
Monday, March 23, 2015
DELINE/FORT FRANKLIN
Danny Gaudet remained chief negotiator for 19 years seeking a Deline self-government agreement with the words of his father in mind.
Chief Leonard Kenny of Deline First Nation and Mark Strahl, parliamentary secretary to the minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, shake hands after signing a poster board to celebrate another step toward self-governance for Deline. With them are Premier Bob McLeod, left, and Gina Dolphus, president of the Deline Land Corporation. - Shane Magee/NNSL photo |
"Don't ever quit what you started," Gaudet recalled in an interview March 16 as the community celebrated another step toward managing its own affairs by ratifying the Deline Got'ine Government.
Gaudet, the lead member of a team of negotiators from the community who worked together for almost two decades, also attributes his resolve to a conversation with the late George Kodakin.
As Kodakin was near death, he called for Gaudet to visit him.
"He talked about how it's important to become (self-governing), how it's important to develop a trail for the people, a future for the people, hope for the people. "To do that he said, 'Don't ever quit.'"
Kodakin told him people would try to stop him, but that he should keep his resolve.
"In the end, as long as you keep focus for your people and believe it's the right thing for your people, keep going," Gaudet said.
His comments came as Deline leaders and members gathered in the Gerry Vital Memorial Arena with representatives of the Canadian government and the GNWT who flew in that day on a charter flight with several reporters.
Leaders signed a large poster and exchanged gifts after a series of speeches. After the formalities, the community hosted a feast and drum dance.
It was a historic day for the people of Deline said Deline First Nation chief Leonard Kenny, adding the work of the Deline negotiation team must be commended.
The original team has continued for 19 years except three who died during that time.
"It's pretty unheard of," he said of the team largely remaining intact for so long.
The legislative assembly passed the legislation for Deline self-governance March 4. Now that it has been approved by the territorial government, the Deline Got'ine Government is set to become the first self-government in the territory once a similar federal bill passes through Parliament.
Deline Got'ine will take over the roles of the land corporation, Deline First Nation and charter community.
It means the community will be able to directly manage social services currently provided by the federal government or GNWT, such as cultural programs or education.
The chief promised one of the first actions once the new government is established will be steps to preserve the Dene language.
"If you don't know it (the language), you're going to
have to learn it," he said.
Kenny also hopes skilled people who moved away for jobs will return to help manage the programs Deline Got'ine will run.
"It's going to take a lot of smart, educated people," Kenny said.
Gina Dolphus, president of the Deline Land Corporation, said even though Deline Got'ine will run some programs, still they will be counting on GNWT and federal governments.
"We still need funding, we still need resources, we still need to work together," she said.
Ethel Blondin-Andrew, chairwoman of Sahtu Secretariat Inc. and former Western Arctic MP teared up as she listed off community leaders who have led Deline and made self-government possible.
"This would not be possible without Deline Got'ine. That's you," she said to the crowd.
Premier Bob McLeod said the move is something the whole territory should be proud of.
"This is how we do things in the North and how we will continue to do things," McLeod said.
Mark Strahl, parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, said it was an important day for Deline and Canada.
"I can only imagine the deep sense of pride by the elders here today," he said.
The federal government still needs to draft the legislation and Parliament will need to pass it before the self-government process is complete.
He wasn't able to estimate of how long that could take but said he expects it to move through Parliament quickly with all parties in favour of the bill. Several community members watching the ceremony declined to comment, deferring to community leaders.
