Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Hay River (Oct 20/00) - Rose Betthale-Reid is an Acho Dene Koe band member, but her choice to live in Hay River means she's no longer a priority for receiving Acho Dene Koe funding.

Betthale-Reid, a counsellor, found that out when she twice applied to the Acho Dene Koe for a $4,000 grant to pursue her alcohol/drug certificate.

She received a letter the second time stating she was being refused because she is no longer a Fort Liard resident.

"When it comes to native people like myself who are out of town, we don't know what to do," she said.

The ADK receives of $184,000 annually from the Deh Cho First Nations for all their training needs, said band manager Sally Bertrand.

ADK chief Judy Kotchea said those training dollars don't go far so difficult decisions have to be made. She said candidates from the community are given higher priority because their resources will directly benefit local people. Those who leave have to fend for themselves.

"It's a tough situation to deal with because they're not in the community and we're not utilizing their expertise at the moment, and we are a growing community," Kotchea said, adding that Betthale-Reid did receive training funding in the past while living in Fort Liard.

"Money is tight all over ... we have to set priorities."

She said the band brings trainers into the community to train several people at a time whenever possible.

Betthale-Reid said she still helps many people from Fort Liard who come to Hay River for counselling. She added she gets phone calls at her home from people in Fort Liard in need of support.

"Are they (band chief and council) telling me that the certificate that I need to be more effective in my job is a second-class choice?" she asked. "I'm trying to get an education to better these guys' lives who have an addiction problem so they can have a better job."

Lorayne Menicoche-Moses, aboriginal training officer for the DCFN, said anyone who is denied training funding through their Local Training Authority in their hometown can appeal to the DCFN. If all information is sent to the DCFN office it will be reviewed, she said.

Despite the denial of funding, Betthale-Reid said she is in the midst of attaining her certificate only because her husband was able to provide the money. However, she said she has found out that student financial assistance will reimburse her when she successfully completes the course.

"The bottom line is when status people do get their education, they do need some support. If I didn't have a husband that was so understanding and supportive I wouldn't have got there," she said.