Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (June 21/02) - Michael Nadli may resign as grand chief of the Deh Cho First Nations at next week's Deh Cho Assembly.

Michael Nadli: says he has lost the support of the Deh Cho First Nation's (DCFN) executive committee. -

Nadli had planned to fulfil his term, which expires June 2003, but said he has lost the support of the Deh Cho First Nation's (DCFN) executive committee. He said he believed the breaking point was his decision to move to Fort Providence, a choice he made earlier this year for personal reasons.

The executive committee, which met with Nadli in Fort Simpson last week, feels the office of grand chief should remain in Fort Simpson, he suggested.

"I would have liked to have completed my term from here in Fort Providence," Nadli said by phone on Monday, adding he felt he was still meeting obligations.

"It was work as usual."

Stan Sanguez, one of the six chiefs on the DCFN executive committee, said the executive has deferred the matter to the Deh Cho Assembly, where the entire DCFN leadership can review the situation.

"Our concern as an executive is the additional cost that we're incurring," Sanguez said, referring to rent for office space and phone and Internet bills in Fort Providence, as well as Nadli's request for a raise.

"This is not like we have free money given to us ... it belongs to the communities."

Sanguez added that communication between the grand chief and DCFN staff has also suffered since he relocated to Fort Providence.

"The morale of the regional office is not like it used to be," he said.

Nevertheless, Sanguez said he will urge Nadli not to resign next week.

Rather, enough notice should be given to allow for a proper leadership selection process, he said.

Deputy chief post urged

Nadli has admitted being grand chief is extremely demanding.

"The expectations and the whole role is very overwhelming," he said, acknowledging he has repeatedly urged the leadership to create a deputy grand chief position.

He declined to comment on who he would prefer as his successor, nor would he offer his opinion on the format that should be used to select the next grand chief.

He said he is proud of his accomplishments as grand chief over the past five years.

"We've reached some very significant milestones, namely the agreements that we've reached with the federal government," he said.