Jorge Barrera
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (June 03/02) - Dene Nation Chief Bill Erasmus says Akaitcho chiefs should sit and talk instead of airing their discontent with him in the media.

"It's OK to disagree," said Erasmus. "I don't think they should do it in the media, they should sit down with me."

During a May 16 Akaitcho Nation meeting in Fort Smith, five chiefs supported a motion to remove Erasmus from his post at the Dene Nation assembly in July.

"I had just met with them two days before (the Fort Smith meeting)," said Erasmus. "I thought, 'yes we have problems,' but I thought we moved on."

Dettah Chief Richard Edjericon, Ndilo Chief Peter Liske, Deninu Ku'e Chief Robert Sayine, Salt River First Nation Chief James Schaefer and Lutsel K'e Chief Archie Catholique all supported the motion.

They accuse Erasmus of unilaterally naming himself "regional vice-chief for the North at the Assembly of First Nations level without a vote of the chiefs from our region."

They also say Erasmus is setting his own salary.

Erasmus questioned whether the chiefs polled their memberships before drafting the statement to oust him.

"I don't know if they have a mandate from the membership," said Erasmus.

"For me, (Erasmus) seems like he doesn't tell people what is going on," said Dettah resident Frank Paper. "I think the chiefs here do more."

Outside the Akaitcho region it seems Erasmus' leadership is less of an issue.

Aklavik Chief Charlie Furlong said he is more concerned with the state of the Dene Nation than with the leadership.

"My thinking is that the whole organization needs to be reviewed," said Furlong.

Chief Dogrib negotiator John B. Zoe said the Dogrib Nation is happy with Erasmus and Dogrib chiefs need to discuss the issue before "expressing" support at the assembly.

"We need a leader with international scope and a national voice," said Zoe.

Deh Cho Grand Chief Michael Nadli said the Dene Nation needs calm.

"Bill was just recently elected (in 2000). I don't know the value in changing the leadership all of a sudden," said Nadli. "I think what is needed at this point is a calmness and stability of leadership."

Erasmus is a member of the Akaitcho Nation.