Dane Gibson
Northern News Services

NNSL (Mar 26/99) - The future direction of NWT Dene can only be mapped successfully if First Nations work together.

Dene leaders came together with federal and territorial government representatives to tackle economic, social and spiritual issues at the Dene Leadership Meeting in Yellowknife, March 22-26.

Grand Chief of Akaitcho region, Felix Lockhart, spoke to the congregation about excessive non-aboriginal control of the land.

"It's alright that people from the south come here to live, living together is alright, but they seem to be taking control of everything and that's why we're weak," Lockhart said.

He said Dene people are fighting the territorial and federal governments when now is the time to build respect.

"We've been here for thousands of years and we're going to die here on our lands. We have to be respected for the way we live," Lockhart said.

"We have to work together in good faith but in regards to the land and minerals, (the government) is not listening," Lockhart said.

"We're trying to protect ourselves in the courts but the lawyers change the policies and we're not being heard -- even though we're right."

NWT Premier Jim Antoine tried to answer the difficult and wide-ranging questions posed by the various leaders.

"Because there's boundary issues before us, everyone is leery about what will happen in the future," Antoine said to the congregation, Wednesday.

"I've been trying to do the best I can, as premier, to make this government work. Personally, I've always recognized the traditional aboriginal government and since becoming a chief in 1974, I've continued to ask government to recognize our chiefs and tribal governments."

John Todd, who is just a week away from leaving his post of GNWT finance minister, didn't pull any punches on his economic predictions.

He said the NWT will need $770 to $800 million in 2000 and 2001 to maintain current programs and services. That's about $60 million more than what the NWT currently receives.

"The only way to improve (the situation) is to negotiate with the federal government and I can tell you honestly, you're not going to get ($60 million more)," Todd said.

"We're OK right now but the future doesn't look great. There is a shortfall of money."

He suggested the best solution is to create a tax window to capitalize on what the federal government rakes in on diamond mine taxes -- about $4.4 billion per diamond mine. A tax window would generate millions for the GNWT.

"A tax window would provide the necessary funding to keep providing the services and programs we're accustomed to," Todd said.

"It's my opinion that there is no desire or interest to give us more money at the federal level.

"This isn't about squabbling about a diminishing pie, it's about creating a collective strategy to enlarge it."

Todd suggested First Nations groups sit down and sign an arrangement as soon as possible to make all Dene member nations equal partners. Only then is it possible to go to the federal government and to settle disputes in an orderly fashion.

Constitutional Affairs, Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development Minister, Stephen Kakfwi, agreed.

"Power comes from being organized and clear on what you want," Kakfwi said.

"We are agreeing that we need to work together. We need time so that every chief and every community leader can tell us what they want now and (decades) from now."

He said the first step to economic strength is to find out exactly how much money the GNWT gets and what terms and conditions are attached to the money. Only then will it be possible to develop an economic strategy.

"You can't develop an economic strategy when the federal government owns everything," Kakfwi said.

"We're focusing mostly on creating small, strong communities and that's a compliment, but we need to create an economic plan and a political agreement on how to govern ourselves."

Kakfwi went on to propose another meeting next month to draft a protocol on how various Dene First Nations can work together to achieve common goals.

"My sense is we have to meet more than once a year, maybe once every one or two months until we have a plan and are working together," Kakfwi said.

Tulita elder and former Tulita band chief, Paul Wright, spoke his mind on the many issues covered by the delegates.

"If things become difficult we must remember our past. The leaders are here asking us to work together," Wright said.

"Things are changing. We know that and if we come together things will work beautifully in the future. There's a lot of issues here, I can only suggest that you listen to what you are saying."