Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Aug 31/01) - A measure designed to cut costs and continue restructuring of the Gwich'in Tribal Council was approved at the council's 18th annual general assembly.

Delegates voted to lengthen the length of term of the president, and eliminate one vice-president's position.

The motion, moved Aug. 23, caused a great deal of debate among the roughly 60 delegates from Inuvik, Tsiigehtchic, Fort McPherson and Aklavik. Most of the discussion centred around whether there should be one vice-president or none, with some arguing that at least one vice-president should exist to assist the president.

The president's term will be lengthened from two years to four, though this only takes effect after current president Fred Carmichael's term expires next year.

Also, the sole vice-president's term is lengthened from two to four years. The council will no longer hold staggered elections, and the date for all elections shall be set for the third week of June.

The motion came on the last day of the assembly, which got under way Aug. 20 and was originally planned to wrap up Aug. 22. Fred Carmichael explained in an interview that the motion was designed to save money, and also is part of restructuring done within the GTC this year.

Elections cost $75,000, and Carmichael said more than $100,000 will be saved by cutting one vice-president's position.

He explained the GTC is coping with a five-year-old budget and that its projected deficit for March 31, 2002 is about $500,000.

Carmichael, who became president late last year, explained that as of this past January the council was facing a $700,000 deficit come March 31, 2001. He said a plan was put in place to deal with this, and that as a result the deficit ended up being only about $80,000.

The GTC has undergone other structural changes recently, with a more direct role being assumed by Chief Peter Ross of the Gwichya Gwich'in Council in Tsiigehtchic, Chief James Firth of the Nihtat Gwich'in Council in Inuvik, Chief Charlie Furlong of the Ehditat Gwich'in Council in Aklavik, and Chief Abe Wilson of the Tetlit Gwich'in Council in Fort McPherson.

Firth noted this marks a "great change."

"We've been invited back to work with the Tribal Council. We've come a long ways," Firth said.

"Each community realizes the value of band councils working with the tribal council."

Unity stressed

Carmichael told delegates he ran for president last year because he felt he could unite the Gwich'in, and said he was encouraged by what he witnessed during the assembly.

A rare display of discord occurred during debate over a resolution to change the title of the head of the GTC from president to grand chief. The motion passed, but not before some Metis delegates objected because Metis do not use the title of chief.

Furlong said there are no distinctions made among Gwich'in beneficiaries.

"President is not an aboriginal word," Furlong added to applause.

Another theme during the week was economic development, with discussions centering on the need to provide more jobs, as well as the need to hold onto traditional Gwich'in values. Some concerns were also raised about the social problems expected to arise, or grow worse, with oil and gas development in the area.

Carmichael said the Gwich'in must make deals such as the one announced last week, in which the Gwich'in Development Corp. is assuming 51 per cent of Gwich'in Ensign Oilfield Services Inc. -- a new company formed via a partnership with Ensign Drilling Inc.

"We've got to become self-sufficient."

Carmichael said becoming self-sufficient would allow the Gwich'in to better deal with social problems and other issues.