Dane Gibson
Northern News Services
NNSL (July 12/99) - The Tulita Dream Catchers preformed, drum dancers pounded into the night, fashion shows and feasts were enjoyed.
The 29th Dene National Assembly wrapped up on Friday after a week of festivities, presentations and tough political discussion.
NWT Dene Community delegates from places such as Colville Lake, Hay River, Nahanni Butte, Wrigley and Fort Providence gathered from July 5-10 where Jean Marie River meets the mighty Mackenzie.
"The significance of the Dene National Assembly comes from people getting together. Our communities rely on each other for support. We rely on each other for communication, to share and to have an opportunity to bring concerns and make decisions by consensus," Dene National Chief Bill Erasmus said.
"Put simply, if we're not working together, it's harder to achieve our goals."
Jean Marie River is a settlement of 60 souls. During the five-day event the tiny community, located 127 kilometres outside Fort Simpson, played host to more than 200 guests.
Deh Cho First Nations Grand Chief Michael Nadli said Jean Marie River is a model Dene community -- the perfect place to hold an assembly.
"The people use the natural waterways for transportation, to hunt and fish. They maintain their lifestyle and cultivate a lifestyle that has been maintained thanks to the efforts of the elders," Nadli said.
"It's something special for Jean Marie River to house and host this many people. They really deserve our thanks and appreciation."
While delegates spent their evenings pulling pickerel out of the river or drum dancing into the wee hours of the morning, they always got right down to business each morning to ensure they kept on top of the busy agenda.
Jean Marie River First Nation Chief Yvonne Norwegian sat at the head table during the round table discussions. Serious topics such as moving forward on the intergovernmental forum process, the pending addition of five MLAs to the legislative assembly and the future role of the Dene Nation were just a few of the topics tackled by delegates.
"I was listening to the other chiefs talk about putting a new mandate together for the Dene Nation and forming an executive committee of chiefs to do that," Norwegian said.
"As a small First Nation, we have rights that need to be represented fairly. It's really important because when Bill Erasmus speaks on our behalf, we really need to know what he has to say on our behalf."
She said the assembly was an excellent way to ensure small communities like her own are understood.
"The event this week ensures we are heard. It's also an excellent opportunity for the rest of the leaders to know how Jean Marie River First Nations people live their traditional life on the land," Norwegian said.
Chief of Deh Gah Got'ie Dene Council Greg Nyuli agreed that defining the role of the Dene Nation is essential to the Dene peoples' future success.
"I think there is an indication we have to do a review of the Dene Nation. Times have changed and I think we have to have another look at it to be sure the needs of the communities are being met," Nadli said.
"The survival of the Dene Nation is essential. We just have to define its rightful purpose, continue to support it and work with it so we can grow stronger together."
Erasmus said the Dene Nation exists only to serve its Dene membership. If that membership calls for change, then change will occur.
"The Dene Nation is evolving to meet the increasing challenges these times present to us," Erasmus said.
"By the next assembly, we will be in an even stronger position to move ahead on the many issues that concern individual Dene communities and the Dene Nation as a whole."
