Deh Gah Got'ie try to retain traditions in local government
Derek Neary
Northern News Services
Fort Providence (May 25/01) - The Deh Gah Got'ie First Nation could prevent its current chief from running for another term in office.
Whether speaking the Slavey language should be a requirement for being chief is one of the many governance guidelines that is being reviewed by the general membership and will be decided upon Thursday.
Current Deh Gah Got'ie Chief Ron Bonnetrouge admitted that his inability to speak the Dene language has led to some band members challenging his leadership. On the other hand, he noted that a group of elders urged him to run for the position last March despite his ignorance of South Slavey.
"I thought I would just throw the whole question back at the people, especially the language issue to see what people felt about it," Bonnetrouge said. "I'm not afraid to address that."
He said he's ready to face the consequences if band members decide he shouldn't be eligible to be chief.
"If I'm not allowed to run, then I've got to go and do my own thing," he said.
A band election may be called on Treaty Day in June as another of the proposed policies.
Bonnetrouge noted that he gave up a government job to become chief, a position that offers little job security. He admitted it's been a significant learning curve over the past year, but he feels he's lived up to his promise of providing accountability and a strong voice for the Deh Gah Got'ie.
By allowing the membership to undertake this review of customary governance policies, it will give them a greater sense of belonging, he suggested.
"This helps us find our direction and guides us in our deliberations," he said.
Band members have been consulted in regards to the suggested changes over the past few weeks. A vote was supposed to have been held last Thursday, but there are so many details and wording is so crucial that a week's delay was needed, according to councillor Dorothy Minoza.
"It's hard to interpret, especially for our people," Minoza said. "We're trying to put it in simple terms, that way they can read right through it."
Other Proposed governance guidelines:
- To have three-year terms instead of two-year terms for chief and council
- An elders' council, formed and structured by the elders themselves, would guide the Deh Gah Got'ie council
- Voters in the traditional land-use area can petition to remove the chief or a councillor by submitting the signatures of 50 per cent plus one of eligible voters
- Annual membership assemblies will be held on Treaty Day each year with an audit report presented.
