Fort Liard (Oct 15/04) - To keep business separate from politics, a new band office, at an estimated cost of $800,000, is going to be constructed in Fort Liard.

Ground should be broken on the 3,841-square-foot project this month, according to Chief Floyd Bertrand of the Acho Dene Koe First Nation.

Chief Bertrand

The new facility will go up behind the existing band office, which will be demolished. For the past few years, band staff were based in the large, two-storey Beaver Enterprises building. In the spring, they returned to the aging band office because it was essential to lessen the confusion between business and politics, Bertrand said

"There's too many issues revolving around business that is being addressed to me the political person," he explained. "A lot of the concerns that are coming up are involving staff and employees. I said, 'Well I'd rather move back to this band office and strictly focus on band initiatives.'"

Band manager Tammy Neal agreed that some community members feel more welcome in the separate band office.

"Lots of elders wanted us back here because they used to come and have coffee and visit," she said. "They didn't feel comfortable going (to the Beaver Enterprises building) because it was too busy and too business oriented."

The new building will be owned by Acho Dene Koe Holdings and financed through a bank loan, according to Bertrand. Beaver Enterprises, a band-owned company, will construct the new band office, he noted.

The complex will be designated strictly for band employees, Bertrand said. He added that Beaver employees have occupied the vacated office space in the Beaver Enterprises building.