Dane Gibson
Northern News Services

NNSL (Aug 09/99) - Dene National Chief Bill Erasmus said an increase in criminal activity around Yellowknife is a result of organized crime surrounding the diamond industry.

"We started learning that wherever you have diamonds, it attracts underground crime activity," Erasmus said.

"What we've been hearing is that there is prostitution in Yellowknife. Gangs and other crime has been rising as a direct result of the diamond industry."

He added that there is 5,000 to 7,000 Dene living in Yellowknife alone, which is why he's concerned about the criminal element associated with the diamond industry.

"How it affects us is that Yellowknife is still on Dene land. Just that alone is enough to cause concern," Erasmus said.

"The problem is the North is still a boom and bust economy. Organized crime is just another spin-off effect of a boom and bust economy. It's an effect we don't want occurring in our homeland."