Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Liard (Nov 08/02) - Business before politics, says Acho Dene Koe Chief Floyd Bertrand

That's his reason for not being present at last week's Deh Cho First Nations fall leadership assembly in Fort Providence.

In an interview Monday, he said he was in Calgary for meetings with oil and gas companies last week.

"As part of my role, I look for work for (band-owned) companies," said Bertrand, who is not only chief but also president of the Acho Dene Koe Corporate Group.

He said other band councillors didn't travel to Fort Providence because they either had prior commitments or felt slighted by the Deh Cho First Nations. In mid-October, Grand Chief Michael Nadli said he took offence to Bertrand's criticism of the Deh Cho Process.

The DCFN executive subsequently relocated the fall leadership assembly to Fort Providence instead of Fort Liard.

However, Bertrand said the Acho Dene Koe has not severed ties with the DCFN all together.

"It doesn't mean we're walking away from the table or don't want to be part of (the DCFN)," he said. "We'll see what comes up in the future."

Bertrand noted that he was successful last week in securing more oil- and gas-related jobs for Fort Liard band members.

The Acho Dene Koe is also seeking its own royalties guarantees from the federal government, the chief said. The band council has decided not to open more land to oil and gas exploration and development until it attains a share of royalties.

"We're looking at the long term," said Bertrand. "It would be good to see a deal happen here shortly, or when the time comes with the federal government."