Doug Ashbury
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Apr 24/00) - Against a backdrop of a new diamond-cutting and polishing business, and the promise of one or two more diamond mines in the NWT, the Deton'cho Corporation added members to its board of directors, the economic development unit of the Yellowknives Dene announced.

"Deton'cho Corporation will need a strong board to ensure that Yellowknives Dene interests are respected and that we are actively involved in the development projects that take place on our lands," said Jonas Sangris, who was recently appointed president of the corporation.

"This is a time of great opportunity for First Nation corporations and we want to be able to take advantage of these opportunities," said Sangris, the former chief of Dettah.

Mary Ann Stiopu is the corporation's secretary-treasurer and Alice Perrin is the new vice-president. Darrell Beaulieu, former president, is now Deton'cho's new chief executive officer.

Deton'cho Corporation's holdings include a majority stake in Ndilo-based Deton'cho Diamonds, full ownership of Bouwa Whee Catering, mine-site cleanup and tank-farm assessment firm Environmental Venture, Dettah Cable, We le Dai Corporation -- which operates the Vital Abel medical boarding home in Ndilo -- and mining camp and camp catering company Ek'Ati Services.

The diamond-cutting and polishing plant operations began earlier this month. Deton'cho Diamonds' shareholders include Deton'cho Corp.'s subsidiary Deton'cho Investments North; Frans Van Looy, the plant's production manager; and Polar Bear Diamonds, part of Calgary and Vancouver-based Brinkhaus Jewellers.

Beaulieu says the economic development company will continue to centre much of its activity on "capacity building" within the Yellowknives Dene communities -- Dettah, Ndilo and Yellowknife.

The corporation is managed by band members and the focus is on building up capacity, financial management and human resources of band members, he said.

"That dictates our growth," he said.

The employment rate of the Deton'cho group of companies peaks at about 150 during the summer and is about 65 in winter, he said.

Revenue growth has been steady but there are fluctuations because of seasonal activities and the fact that the corporation operates in a very competitive market.

"The business environment is competitive by nature -- we swim with the sharks."

Beaulieu added the corporation started from scratch, "without any major capitalization."

As well as Sangris, Perrin, and Stiopu, the Deton'cho Corp.'s board of directors for April 1, 2000 to March 31, 2001 includes:

- George Goulet, Ragnar Wesstrom (non-voting), Blake Rasmussen, Jimmy Beaulieu, Ernest Betsina.

- Chief Richard Edjericon and Chief Peter Liske are ex-officio members.