Jorge Barrera
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (July 15/02) - The Dene Nation says Dora Duncan is chief of Colville Lake despite the community's sub-chief and the Department of Indian Affairs claiming otherwise.

Dora Duncan refused to say if she still lives in community. - Jorge Barrera/NNSL photo

Sharon Tutcho, who has been the community's acting chief since Duncan and her band councillor daughter, Jennifer Duncan, were deposed from their positions last fall, said the community doesn't see Duncan as chief anymore.

"She is not living in the community," said Tutcho. "How can she be representing us if we never see her?"

Dora Duncan refused to comment on why she was at the assembly or if she still lives in the community.

In an embarrassing gaffe, Rene Lamothe, the vice-chair of the Dene National Assembly, introduced both Dora Duncan and sub-chief Sharon Tutcho as chief of Colville Lake during the opening round of the Dene National Assembly in Fort Simpson, last Tuesday.

Lamothe said he got his knuckles rapped after the blunder and later named Duncan as the rightful chief in an apology to the assembly.

Duncan did not represent Colville Lake at the last Dene Nation gathering in Yellowknife this past spring.

Jennifer Duncan, who is Erasmus' executive assistant, did not comment either.

Sahtu Grand Chief Frank Andrew said he needed more time to figure out who he would support.

"The Dene Nation says one thing and Indian Affairs another," said Andrew. "We have to go back and talk about it."

On May 17, the Federal Court of Canada stopped a planned byelection in Colville Lake until a court action launched by the Duncans last December to overturn their ousting is settled.

The Duncans have been fighting to regain their seats on the band council after a council resolution kicked them out last fall.

The band council claimed the Duncans missed three meetings in a row.

The Department of Indian Affairs gave the ousting its blessing in a letter at the time.

Dora Duncan beat 16-year chief Richard Kochon last August, triggering a brief resignation by Kochon's brother and band manager Joseph Kochon.

Since then, Duncan accused the Kochons of corruption and of trying to sabotage her leadership.

Some band councillors accused Duncan of bullying and acting unilaterally without their consultation.

Colville Lake is a community of barely 100 people.