Mike W. Bryant
Northern News Services

Colville Lake (Nov 26/01) - It has been three, very long months for Colville Lake's embattled chief, Dora Duncan.

Since winning her seat Aug.8, the first-term chief has struggled to maintain the reigns of power. A majority of band councillors have openly criticized her style of leadership, and have called on her several times to resign.

Chief of Colville Lake, Dora Duncan, is still struggling to regain control of her community after being elected last August. - Jorge Barrera/NNSL photo

According to Coun. Alvin Orlias, band council approached her twice in recent months to attend public meetings, but Duncan refused.

Consequently, council voted to suspend remuneration to Duncan last month.

"Five councillors went to talk to her, and she still won't come," said Orlias. "We're trying to work with her, but she hasn't talked to anyone in a month."

"We're not going to pay her if she isn't going to do anything."

Duncan, who was in Ndilo last week attending the Dene leadership assembly, said the last time council approached her she had just arrived back in Colville Lake by plane from a trip to Edmonton, and was immediately besieged by councillors wanting her to attend a hastily arranged meeting.

The date was Oct. 18., eight days after she received her last pay cheque from the band.

Coun. Sharon Tutcho confirmed that all five councillors approached her upon arrival at 1 p.m., but the scheduled meeting was not for another hour.

Tutcho, who supported Duncan in the beginning, said she has become increasingly frustrated with the chief's refusal to attend council meetings -- going back to the first week after the election in August.

She also said Duncan reacted angrily every time council members approached her.

"It's her way or the highway," said Tutcho. "She doesn't want to listen to us."

Duncan is not without her supporters, even if councillors say they are dwindling within her own community.

In a letter obtained by News/North -- addressed to then Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs Roger Allen -- NWT Status of Women Council president Viola Beck criticized the minister and the department for its handling of the affair.

Beck wrote that after band manager Joseph Kochon "resigned his position" in mid-August, and MACA took over the administration of band affairs, the department packed up after spending only a week in the community, turning it back over to the "status quo."

Instead of following the interview process for hiring a new manager and keeping on the interim MACA representative for the four weeks Duncan requested, Kochon was reinstated, Beck wrote.

Kochon, along with Orlias and Tutcho, continue to maintain he never resigned his position, but took a 30-day leave of absence shortly after the August election.

Beck also wrote that Duncan fears spending time alone at home when she sees people under the influence of alcohol outside. There are no RCMP officers stationed in Colville Lake.

Duncan said that she and her family have received threats since taking office, but would not say from whom.

Orlias scoffed at the suggestion that people in the community would try to harm her.

"That's totally crazy," said Orlias. "Nobody is paying any attention to her."

When a request was made to speak with Allen -- now minister of justice -- he deferred the matter to his replacement, Vince Steen. News/North was told that Steen would not comment on the letter until he had a chance to review it. The letter is dated Nov. 1.

Beck said she and other staff have been in contact with Duncan several times, and said she feels for the chief's plight.

"She asked us for help because she feels very alone," said Beck. "You can hear it in her voice. She is very desperate."

"When you are spending so much time dealing with this, it's hard to get down to business."

For her part, Duncan said she was elected because people in the community wanted a change after 16 years of Richard Kochon in power.

She said all that council has accomplished by refusing to recognize her legitimacy as chief is hurt the community.

"It hasn't been very good," said Duncan. "It's the children, the young people and the elders who have suffered because of all this."

On Friday, Dene leader Bill Erasmus said he would organize a healing workshop so community leaders can work together in the future.