Tracy Kovalench
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jun 29/98) - The Dene Nation has passed a motion to assume control of the Native Communications Society.

A resolution to dissolve the society's board of directors and transfer the media group's management responsibilities to the Denedeh Development Corporation was passed quickly at the end of the 28th Dene National Assembly earlier this month in Yellowknife.

But NCS chairman J.C. Catholique says it isn't going to be that easy.

The society, which broadcasts CKLB, an aboriginal-language country music station, has its own constitution, which claims independence of political entities, he pointed out in an interview with News/North last week.

CKLB broadcasts to all Metis and Dene communities in the western NWT. The NCS board of directors is elected by delegates from both aboriginal groups at the society's assembly every September. Its mandate is to enhance and improve communication within the aboriginal community and serve to educate both aboriginals and non-aboriginals.

NCS is also expected to provide training in the media industry.

The radio station is expected to operate with 75 per cent aboriginal air time. Currently, CKLB has time slots dedicated to North Slavey, South Slavey, Chipewyan and Dogrib. Both national and local newscasts are announced every hour. NCS also produces two television programs broadcast on TVNC.

Catholique said he is shocked and disturbed by the takeover motion, which was passed at the assembly two weeks ago on the basis that NCS was in debt and struggling to achieve its mandate.

"They could have easily phoned us and asked us if we're having financial problems," says Catholique, who presented the society's audited 1996/97 financial statement at the assembly. The statement, which reports a balanced budget for the first time in five years, went without comment by Dene Nation delegates, said Catholique.

Originally, NCS was responsible for the xxxNative Press newspaper, CKLB and a television studio. Funding cuts from federal and territorial sources have forced it to scale back its projects in recent years, however.

Native Press, for example, declared bankruptcy in 1993 and NCS moved out of the television studio in 1995.

The newspaper's termination has the people concerned, says Dene Nation Grand Chief Bill Erasmus.

However, the motion to dissolve the NCS board of directors is impractical, says Erasmus.

He proposes the Dene Nation assist NCS in the form of business connections and possible grants. Although Erasmus can't rescind the motion, he plans to work with NCS staff rather than take over the existing board.

"I'm at liberty to interpret this and make it work as best I can," says Erasmus.

Catholique questioned the Dene Nation's whereabouts when the station was in serious debt due to an expensive five-year lease agreement in the early 1990s. He said he suspects there may be another motive behind the takeover attempt beyond cultural preservation.

According to Catholique, the Denedeh Development Corporation has made a bid to buy the NWT Communications building, of which NCS owns 25 per cent of the shares.

The building, which houses NorthwesTel cable, a hair design studio and a retail outlet, among other tenants, has an appraised value of $3.2 million. If Denendeh Development could claim control of NCS, however, it could trim $800,000 off the cost of buying the building.

Erasmus admits the possibility, but says its too early to jump to conclusions.

Margaret Gorman, general manager of the Denedeh Development Corporation, refused to comment on the situation.