Derek Neary
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jun 18/99) - The tiny community of Jean Marie River is bracing for a huge influx of people next month.

The 53 residents are expecting about 10 times as many visitors from July 5-9 when they host the Dene National Assembly. A planning committee met for the first time back in January and has been meeting regularly to prepare for this massive undertaking. Assembly co-ordinator Percy Hardisty has helped organize subcommittees to deal with events, facilities and accommodations, food (two feasts have been planned), fund-raising and security.

Will the community be ready for 400-600 people in less than four weeks time?

"Definitely," Hardisty said confidently. "Everything's been strategized through our preparations committee meetings. If the weather doesn't co-operate there will be alternate arrangements."

Elder Sarah Hardisty, through translator Andy Norwegian, said she cannot recall an event of this size ever being held in Jean Marie River. The closest thing she can remember is a gathering held at Red Knife many years ago where tents stretched a long distance down the river.

Naturally, such a huge endeavour would require plenty of resources. With only a few more than 50 people in Jean Marie River, practically everybody has had to chip in some way or another. The local assistance has been tremendous, according to Hardisty.

"They've been very good at volunteering for various things," he said.

All around the community the tangible efforts are very noticeable amidst the pounding of hammers and whirring of power saws. A new arbour is being constructed to accommodate the 129 voting delegates, eight translators and 20 Dene Nation staff members. The Northwest Territories Power Corp. will be installing a couple of power poles so electricity will be available for computers and such, Hardisty noted. He added that a fireplace will also be included to make coffee and tea.

Elsewhere, brush is being cut away and wood stockpiled for the 32 campsites in the five camping areas around the community. Picnic tables and restrooms have been constructed and painted. Hardisty said the GNWT has offered an "in kind" contribution, to lend some more picnic tables, portable showers, portable toilets and some radios. Municipal and Community Affairs will absorb the extra cost of water delivery and sewage being pumped out, he said.

The Department of Public Works has contributed garbage cans. Deh Cho Health and Social Services will provide medical staff for the duration of the assembly. The RCMP will send a regular constable, an auxiliary and a summer student to enforce the prohibition order which will be in place during prior to and during the event, he said. The ferry service to and from Fort Simpson will run on demand throughout the week, he added.

It's unquestionably a myriad of details.

"If you deal with it every day it kind of sticks in your mind," Hardisty said. "If a person just comes here, it would be overwhelming to think about all the things to do in preparation."

Dene National Chief Bill Erasmus said the executive didn't hesitate to award the assembly to such a small community.

"If we were worried, we would have never given it to them," he said. "We can basically go out in the bush and have a meeting...it's not like you need a hotel or any of the big city necessities."