Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (Apr 30/04) - The decision to ease liquor rationing limits in Fort Simpson on Sept. 1, rather than remove them completely, is welcome news to two elected leaders.

Keyna Norwegian, chief of the Liidlii Kue First Nation, said that's the compromise she and her council were seeking.

Nevertheless, she said the LKFN will put the onus on the government to provide more addictions and social programs for First Nations people.

Nahendeh MLA Kevin Menicoche said the incremental approach decided upon by Floyd Roland, minister responsible for the Liquor Act, will provide time to bolster the community's addictions counselling.

He said if social problems had increased drastically as a result of removing rationing completely, then it would have been too late to turn back.

Fort Simpson Mayor Raymond Michaud was admittedly upset with Roland's decision and critical of Menicoche for not consulting with the village council before taking a stance on liquor rationing.

The municipality wanted alcohol restrictions eliminated.

Menicoche responded that he speaks for the "majority of the people," whereas village council only represents taxpayers of Fort Simpson.

"Eventually rationing will be removed altogether, just not today," he said.

Although a majority of LKFN band members who voted in a poll last year wanted liquor restrictions lifted, Norwegian said, at 183-103, it wasn't an overwhelming majority.

"First of all it should have been in-house results. It shouldn't have been published or whatever until we made a decision on it," Norwegian said.

Wording worries

She also noted that the band office received several phone calls after the poll from people who said they were confused by the wording of the question.

They said they realized they accidentally voted in favour of lifting rationing rather than against it as they intended, said Norwegian.

She added that the overall turnout for the poll wasn't high.

"So we had to take into consideration what those other people felt and also the surrounding communities because they're the ones who are going to be more affected than Fort Simpson," she explained.

At the April 19 village council meeting, Coun. Norm Prevost asked why the Village is asked for its input if it's not going to be heeded.

"We might as well pack our bags and go," said Prevost.

Coun. Dave Wright added that statistics from the monthly RCMP report indicate that rationing is not working as most offences involve alcohol.