Doug Ashbury
Northern News Services

NNSL (Sep 21/98) - Yellowknives Dene will continue to view the NWT Federation of Labour as a valuable organization, Chief Jonas Sangris, speaking at the federation's 12th convention, said.

"Yellowknives Dene have a enjoyed a good working relationship with the federation of labour, in part because of the efforts made by Jim Evoy ," he said. Evoy was NWT Federation of Labour president up until his death in 1996.

Sangris recounted how Yellowknives Dene were, in the past, thought of as an unskilled labour force.

"In 1959, we were told to come in off the land," he said.

"More and more of our members our being employed in industry. We will have to work side by side to build the community together," he said.

"We get help from labour organizations to make sure our people are working in a safe environment."

Sangris said the steelworkers auto workers unions have assisted the Yellowknives Dene.

"I was part of a (union) delegation that went to South Africa. We learned how companies that also operate in Canada treat indigenous peoples. We can use that knowledge."

Dene leaders have met with indigenous leaders from around the world and all are trying to ensure fair treatment.

Canadian Auto Workers national president Buzz Hargrove, who also spoke at the convention held in Yellowknife, said: "I certainly endorse the idea of international solidarity among working people."

Hargrove also said government should act as a balance between business and labour instead of undermining the power of labour groups.

Labour's role is to fight back, he said.

"They want us out of their face (to get) long-term agreements so you won't see your membership. Nothing engages our membership like collective bargaining."

He also said the denigration of all public sector workers has to stop.

There is a "mind-set that a public-sector worker is less than a person. Public sector workers are a damned important part of any sane society."

Asked about the Con mine strike, Hargrove said it and other labour disputes will continue as long as the federal government continues to support a big business agenda.

The Con strike can be linked to the "struggle of working people around the world."

Hargrove said Con mine owner, Miramar Mining, found itself with the "upper hand" and the worker pays the price.

With gold's price hovering at its lowest level in years and Miramar hedging its gold position well above the spot price, it could be argued that the miners were not in a strategically beneficial position to strike.

"It's a struggle. (Con miners) are obligated not to give up the fight."

The Con strike has been quiet because of no scabs, Hargrove also said. "Every strike should be like that."

Big business is moving money around the world but when the money is pulled out, countries are left in disarray. Hargrove pointed to Russia and the Far East. In the last two years, the Canadian government sent business group Team Canada to every one of these countries, he said.

On the UNW-GNWT pay-equity issue, Hargrove pointed to the federal government.

By ignoring the decision of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal, the federal government has "set a new (low) standard."

It sets a sad example for provincial and territorial governments, he added.

Hargrove supported a move by the NWT Federation of Labour to get a NWT human rights commission.