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Gender issue

Dogrib elders protest female nominees for chief

Tara Kearsey
Northern News Services

Rae (Nov 20/00) - Members of the Dogrib Rae Band have conflicting opinions about whether females should be running for chief.

Current Chief Joe Rabesca recently announced his intention to resign. As a result, a nomination meeting was held in the hamlet Nov. 8.

The nominations of two women, Violet Camsell-Blondin and Irene Lafferty, drew protests from several elders. Three men, Jackson Lafferty, Eddie Paul Rabesca and George MacKenzie were also nominated.

Respected Dogrib elder Elizabeth MacKenzie said she believes the women who were nominated are too inexperienced to handle the chief's position.

"They're too young and I don't think they understand (the duties of the chief)," said MacKenzie.

Mayor Fred Behrens said he can't see any reason why a woman should not seek election as chief of the Dogrib Rae Band.

"The more traditional people have always said that the man is the boss and should always be treated like that, but times definitely have changed and most people's outlook now is it doesn't really matter who is running.

"If she gets the votes, if she can do the job, then great," said the mayor.

Respecting tradition

Liza Charlo-Pieper, president of the Native Women's Association of the NWT, said several women hold band council positions in native communities around the Northwest Territories, so a female chief should be just as acceptable.

"I feel that women who are capable of taking on band council positions should be able to take on the chief's position as well. I'm sure that women out there can do a good job just as men can," she said.

However, she said it is important to respect traditional ways.

"I think the community as a whole needs to meet and make decisions in regards to women running, and that's the part where you have to respect the elders and other community members," Pieper added.

Rosa Mantla, principal of Elizabeth MacKenzie Elementary and member of the Dogrib Rae Band, said she understands the elders' concerns that a woman would not be qualified to tackle the many tasks of the band chief.

"When we think about the roles and the responsibilities of the chief, it's something huge ahead of them if they're going to be preparing themselves to be the leader of the community of Rae-Edzo of over 2,000 people.

"It would take a lot of work, a lot of time, especially travelling time and you really need to prepare yourself for this kind of task," she said.

This is Mantla's first year as principal of Elizabeth MacKenzie Elementary and she is a candidate for council in the Dec. 11 hamlet election. Former principal Dave Matthews warned her that the job would be very demanding.

"He said 'Rosa, it's a huge job, it's a hard job.' Over and over again he told me that, but I was willing to take it because I knew that I could do it, with a lot of support.

"But with the chief's position, I know you really have to be strong, you have to know maybe some of the things that they've been working on for years," said Mantla.