Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (Oct 08/01) - While business and politics supposedly don't mix, they have been inseparable in the Deh Cho. For that reason, business has suffered, according to retail store owner Jim Villeneuve.

The current political climate has stunted employment, except for lawyers, judges and social workers Villeneuve told delegates at an regional economic development conference. The conference took place in the Deh Cho First Nations' boardroom last week. It's young people who are most affected by the inactivity, he suggested.

"One of the only ways that they will have their own money is if they have jobs, and jobs are only created through economic development," said Villeneuve.

Nick Sibbeston, a bed and breakfast owner in Fort Simpson, said the Dogribs have managed to strike business deals before finalizing their land claim. He added that Dene and Metis private business people in Deh Cho desperately need support.

"It's not just for the future, it's for now," Sibbeston said.

Percy Hardisty, who is trying to get a small business off the ground, concurred. He said there's "virtually no support of any kind" at present. He noted that he and others have talked about developing a regional aboriginal business association to fill that void.

Part of the conference's objective is to revisit the results of Deh Cho Means Business, another economic development conference held six years ago and analyze why those initiatives were shelved. Liidli Kue First Nation Chief Rita Cli said it's time to make real progress.

"We've got the interim measures and all these things in place, now get on with business. You can't be afraid, you've got to go forward," Cli said. "We want development to happen, but we want to be in control. Who knows the Deh Cho lands better than the Deh Cho people themselves?"