Mike W. Bryant
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (May 17/02) - The meeting began with a prayer and hope from its chairman that the leadership can unite and get the Deh Cho process back on track after a series of recent setbacks.

Chiefs, elders and staff from across the region are gathered this week for the Deh Cho First Nations spring leadership meeting in Fort Simpson, May 14-16.

Deh Cho Grand Chief Michael Nadli said there are two issues he would like to see resolved before the meeting wraps up today: the Hay River Reserve's ongoing dispute with the Public Service Alliance of Canada, and a potentially explosive band council resolution recently passed by the Liidlii Kue First Nation.

The resolution, drafted April 17, calls for advisory services funding to go directly to the band instead of DCFN coffers.

Representatives from K'atlodehchee First Nation, including Chief Pat Martel, were conspicuously absent from the meeting, although Nadli said he received word that the Hay River reserve chief would likely attend today's meetings.

He also said he received an indication that Martel might bring word of some "new developments" arising from a recent LKFN membership meeting.

"For the (Hay River) reserve we'll have to wait for them, but if they're not here, it's not good to talk about them," said Nadli.

In his opening address, Nadli appealed to the assembled leadership for unity. Without it, he said, the advantage goes to the federal government, and oil and gas companies, anxious to see a pipeline built in the region.

"It seems like two years ago we had resource development all in one house, but it's not that way any more," said Nadli. "Now, they're really going to push us, to see how strong we are."

Before the meeting broke for lunch on Tuesday, however, LKFN Chief Rita Cli fired a few volleys Nadli's way, dispelling any illusions that creating unity will be an easy task.

"Who's head is going to be on the chopping block when there's public outcry?" demanded Cli, warning the assembled leadership not to let elders hijack the agenda.

She was also mindful of the selection process for a new grand chief when Nadli steps down later this summer.

"We really need to be mindful that elders should be used as advisors, nothing more," said Cli. "I don't want our elders to be put on the spot, if the elected leaders screw up."

As for the LKFN resolution, adopted April 17, Cli said the money DCFN receives from the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs for advisory services could be better spent.

Cli says the funding comes in at approximately $80,000. DCFN has put the mark at closer to $250,000.

"We need the money to be downloaded to us, because we don't get advisory services from DCFN," said Cli. "Very seldom do we go to them for advisory service, so that money they receive on our behalf we could use at the local level."

Nadli, on the other hand, said it could lead to a dangerous precedent if other tribal councils followed suite.