Jorge Barrera
Northern News Services

Rae (Nov 28/01) - North Slave MLA Leon Lafferty is taking sides in a dispute that could split a band in his home riding.

MLA Leon Lafferty says the Rae band is ignoring some of its residents and squandering money.

In a scorching letter to Western Arctic MP Ethel Blondin-Andrew, Lafferty has thrown his support behind a group of disgruntled Rae residents who are considering forming their own band. Rae is 110 km west of Yellowknife.

Lafferty said the Rae band is ignoring some of its residents and squandering money. He blamed political dysfunction for creating the splinter group.

"The Rae Band has its own way of blacklisting people for housing, employment or access to other programs if you talk against them or even question them in public," said the Oct. 4 letter obtained by Yellowknifer Monday.

"For the last few years, the Rae Band has been pursuing businesses in the North and...the people are not benefitting," it said.

The letter did not have financial statements attached and in a separate interview Lafferty did not produce them.

The letter did contain a petition with 32 names requesting separation. Lafferty said the number represents the households of 250 people.

"There are probably around 250 people more who were afraid to sign," said Lafferty.

Dogrib leaders said Lafferty should leave the issue alone and deny the validity of the accusations. They point to the current state of the Dogrib land claim and the growth of the band's economic ventures as signs they're doing a good job.

"This is a case of an elected Dogrib regional representative going against his own riding's people," said George Mackenzie, Rae band councillor for 10 years.

The former school vice-principal said there is no corruption or attempt to squelch dissent.

"We've done so many positive things in the community over 10 years and it really hurts me when I'm (blamed) for everything wrong in the society," said Mackenzie, noting the development of a local apprenticeship program.

Mackenzie said during his first term in office, the band budget was $400,000. Now it tops $14 million a year.

Rae band sub-chief Clifford Daniels said the problems stem from mistrust over money. He said discussions always fall apart because people get too personal.

"Anyone can make accusations," said Daniels. "It's not the majority of the community. It is a minority creating the problem."

Rae resident Alice Mantla said the band council doesn't keep its promises and its members don't listen to the people.

"You talk to (the band) and it comes out the other ear," said the single mother of six.

Corine Football signed a petition to form a new band. She said the current band needs to open up.

"They are not open with us," she said. "I try to talk to them about personal problems and they just keep walking away."

Lafferty first publicly waded into the turmoil last May when he levelled the same accusations during a band meeting.

"I was there as a band member not an MLA," said Lafferty who is taking a political risk with another run at the band, this time speaking out as the community's MLA.

Lafferty is still waiting for a reply from Blondin-Andrew.

She did not return Yellowknifer phone calls.

"I am not their leader in (the move to split)," he said.

He added he won't make another move until they get a reply or the dissenters request another letter from him.

Lafferty was a Rae band councillor until he lost an election three years ago by one vote.