Jorge Barrera
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (July 12/02) - The Dene Nation is charging governments and organizations for the right to speak and make presentations during the Dene National Assembly in Fort Simpson.

Bill Erasmus: "We do it so we don't have a deficit." - NNSL file photo

The Dene Nation says it needs to impose the charge to offset assembly operating costs that can't be met with its dwindling budget.

Bill Erasmus, national chief for the Dene Nation, said the charges are contingent on the economic status of those who want to make presentations to offset operational costs for the assembly.

"We do it so we don't have a deficit," said Erasmus.

Erasmus said if the Dene Nation paid all the costs for regions to attend the current assembly in Fort Simpson it would cost around $500,000 including operational costs.

Dogrib Grand Chief Joe Rabesca said it cost his region in the North Slave, around $70,000 to bring delegates and elders to the meeting.

Erasmus said translation costs alone hover around $40,000.

The federal and territorial government, who are presenting during the assembly, contributed close to a total of $120,000 to the Dene Nation and the host Liidlii Kue band for the meeting.

Doug Cardinal, of Hay River, a representative of the Aboriginal Pipeline Group, said the Dene Nation asked them for $10,000 to present.

Cardinal said they have to negotiate with the Dene Nation on what they will actually pay.

"We have to know what they are going to use the money for," said Cardinal. "You just don't give someone a cheque."

Cardinal said the APG, with the help of the oil producers who back it, will see what costs could be covered for the meeting. He mentioned food and translation costs as possibilities.

Erasmus said his organization is putting in $150,000 of its own money from its $1.5 million budget which has shrunk over the years. He said the Dene Nation budget in 1993 was $8 million.

Outstanding debts

According to Dene Nation financial statements released during the meeting, three regions still owe the Dene Nation money from its days pushing for a massive Dene-Metis land claim in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

The Gwich'in owe $68,504. Tsiigehtchic Chief Peter Ross said the Gwich'in want to sit with Erasmus and work out a deal.

The Sahtu still owe $68,504. The Akaitcho community of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation owe $14,661, Deninu K'ue First Nation owes $13,701, Salt River First Nation owes $17,811 and Lutsel K'e Dene band owes $12,331.

The accumulated owed money is $195,512.

The Dogrib and Deh Cho nations have paid their debts.