Yellowknife (July 06/01) - Though her address to the Akaitcho assembly focused on the future, delegates showed more interest in Ethel Blondin-Andrew's past.

Ethel Blondin-Andrew

The Western Arctic MP's support for the gun registration law continues to dog her more than a year after it became law.

"I had to make up my mind whether to vote for it or lose my job," said the four-term MP. "If I didn't vote for it there wouldn't be an aboriginal voice on cabinet."

Blondin-Andrew responded to questions with a steady voice but appeared to be getting upset as delegates expressed their disdain for the law.

Several times elders invoked a bear attack earlier this year as an example of why the North requires different gun control laws than urban centres.

"Maybe if he had a gun, maybe he would have survived today," said Yellowknives Dene First Nation band councillor Alfred Baillargeon, referring to Kyle Harry, who was mauled to death by a black bear east of Prosperous Lake last month.

"Maybe that's not the only accident that's going to happen," said Baillargeon.

Elders and Lutsel K'e Chief Archie Catholique said the gun law infringes on aboriginal peoples' right to pursue their traditional way of life. In particular elders were concerned about it being illegal to carry a loaded rifle.

Without a loaded rifle hunters cannot respond fast enough to kill game or defend themselves against bears, the they said.

"Are we going to have to live like this forever, just because Mr. Rock won't believe us?" asked Salt River First Nation elder Frank Laviolette, referring to Allan Rock, justice minister at the time the law was passed. "We should take Mr. Rock into the bush and pile some meat beside him. The bear will come, and the law will change."

Blondin-Andrew said she fought to make the law more friendly to aboriginal people, but in the end urban centres that held sway.

"We may not like it here, but I think in Montreal, I think in the city, they think gun control is a good thing," said Blondin-Andrew.