Mike W Bryant
Northern News Services

NNSL (Aug 16/99) - All John Villebrun wanted was a place to stay.

But after his recent eviction by the Yellowknives Dene Band from his home in Ndilo last month, Villebrun is back on the street where he has eeked out his existence as an alcoholic and homeless person for most of his life.

"What I heard is that they kicked me out for having drunks there," Villebrun said.

Villebrun was given a house in Ndilo by the Yellowknives Dene Band in November, 1997. He had previously been living on the streets, staying with friends or at the homeless shelter.

In a letter dated November 13, 1997 from the Yellowknives Dene First Nation Housing Division, Villebrun was informed that repairs to the house were approved under the Emergency Repair Program, and construction would begin in two weeks.

Villebrun said the band never went ahead with repairs and he was forced to spend the next two winters in shelters because of inadequate heating.

"I wanted a wood or gas stove but they said, 'No, use this,'" Villebrun said, referring to the electric baseboard heaters that were his only source of heat.

This summer, after returning to the house, Villebrun said that the band approached him and told him that were going to move the house and do some repairs and that he would have to remove all his possessions while the renovations were being done.

When he returned a few days later to check up on the progress of the renovations, Villebrun said that he was no longer welcome to reside there.

"I went back there one day and they told me, 'Don't bother coming back'," Villebrun said.

"All my furniture, my clothing and my belongings were out on the street," he recalled. "They said that they were going to give it to a couple with a disability."

A life-long acquaintance of Villebrun's, John LeMouel, a court worker for the Mackenzie Court Workers Services Society, feels that the band was unfair in evicting Villebrun.

"I'm concerned," LeMouel said. "I know John has no education and from what he's told me it seems unfair."

LeMouel approached Gerry Cheezie, manager of Housing for the Yellowknives Dene Band, about his concerns over Villebrun's eviction and he said that all Cheezie was concerned about was upholding the band's image.

"I went up to him to ask him who I could see to write a story about this," LeMouel said. "He said 'Write a story to who?' and I said, 'To the paper.'

"He said, 'you don't want to do that . . . you'll embarrass the band.'"

"Well, I'm sorry Mr. Cheezie but embarrassing the band is easier than being homeless," LeMouel said.

According to Cheezie, however, there were conditions for Villebrun to live by in order to get the housing and he did not live up to them.

"John was given the unit on the condition that he would quit drinking but he didn't live up to it," Cheezie said. "There was always something going on over there, parties and garbage everywhere."

"The council has done everything to assist John but he would not live up to the responsibilities living there."

According to Villebrun, the only condition placed on him, was that he pay $32 a month rent.

"I didn't even know I had to pay power there. They just came to me after a year with a $1,200 power bill which I couldn't pay," Villebrun said.

As for LeMouel's comments regarding the band's potential embarrassment out of this issue, Cheezie had some comments of his own.

"He fancies himself as some sort of caped-crusader," Cheezie said.

"This is just sensationalism. I'm not sure what he's trying to do."