Hay River Reserve (Feb 07/05) - There is no word yet on whether steps have been taken to resolve an "embarrassing" squabble between the Dene Nation and the Assembly of First Nations (AFN).

At a Dene leadership meeting Jan. 25-27, chiefs expressed disappointment and outrage at an apparent inability of Dene National Chief Noeline Villebrun and AFN regional representative Chief Bill Erasmus to work together.

Chief Erasmus

Neither Erasmus nor Villebrun could be reached last week to find out if any attempt has been made to improve working relations.

At the leadership meeting on the Hay River Reserve, Acting Chief Fred Daniels of Smith's Landing First Nation in Fort Smith was one of many leaders who called the situation embarrassing.

Daniels said, if Villebrun and Erasmus can't work together, they might have to go, noting he was sorry to have to say that since he is related to Villebrun and a friend of Erasmus.

"Maybe we've got to replace them," Daniels said.

Chief Robert Sayine of Fort Resolution's Deninu Ku'e First Nation said, "To me, the two leaders are not working together."

The issue arose during a discussion of why a motion from last summer's annual general assembly was not implemented. It called for the AFN regional office to return to the Dene Nation offices in Yellowknife.

"Today, it looks like it didn't take place," said Chief Roy Fabian of K'atlodeeche First Nation on the Hay River Reserve.

Fabian wondered who the AFN represents if the chiefs can't give it direction.

"Once we make a decision, it should be carried out to the letter," he said.

Fabian said, in the "white man's world," failing to follow the motion would be called insubordination.

At the meeting, Erasmus explained the AFN is a different body from the Dene Nation.

"I have to account to you, but we haven't developed a clear way to do it," he told the chiefs.

Erasmus said he was "booted out" of the Dene Nation offices in Yellowknife, adding there is not enough space there to move back.

The AFN regional chief called the issue "kind of ridiculous."

Erasmus said he is quite open to moving his office.

"It's obvious we have to work together," he said, adding he was not at the leadership meeting to fight over organization.

As for Villebrun, she said, "I had no intention of fighting with anybody, and I still don't do today."

She added she will probably meet with Erasmus and ask him to follow the motion.

Just after the meeting, Erasmus called the issue an internal matter. "It's not something that should be blown out of proportion."

In fact, he said he and Villebrun work together. "We're talking."

Also after the meeting, Villebrun said she wanted to follow the motion and hoped Erasmus would. "I wish he would just abide by the motion and respect it."

Meanwhile, when contacted, former Dene Nation president Steve Kakfwi declined to comment on the current state of the organization.