Yellowknife (Jul 07/06) - Delegates at the Dehcho Assembly formally ratified the Dehcho Land Use Plan on June 28.

As chairman of the land use plan committee, Herb Norwegian encouraged the move.

"The plan came about because leaders and elders told us to do all we can to protect the land," said Norwegian. The plan is a tool to strengthen the position on land against the federal government, he said.

"Looking at the big picture this land use plan is really important to all of us," Norwegian said.

Sound finances

The Dehcho First Nations' finances are improving.

According to the recent audit revenues have increased by 32 per cent this year. There is a $734,121 surplus compared to $586,305 last year.

Chief Berna Landry of the Deh Gah Got'ie Koe First Nation praised the organization for having a surplus.

Committee members

Elders will be part of the new executive committee.

A number of leaders raised the concern that sitting on the committee is difficult for elders.

Chief Stan Sanguez from Jean Marie River said his concern is for the accountability that will be put on elders on the committee.

Grand Chief Herb Norwegian noted that often the elder's hearts are into the task, but the material is difficult.

The new committee members include Chief Eric Betsaka, Chief Berna Landry, elders Violet Cli and Margaret Leishman and members at large Joanne Deneron and Richard Lafferty.

Power to the youth

Dehcho youth are getting the opportunity to have more organizational power.

One of the youth requests coming out of the youth and elder's conference is to have a greater opportunity to organize themselves, Ria Letcher told the assembly. They would like to meet regularly with elders, Letcher said.

The assembly passed a resolution that will formally recognize the youth organization with financial resources for initiatives. Funds will be identified for the youth and staff will be assigned to help with organization.

Cyanide worries

Dehcho First Nations is ready to take legal action if necessary to deal with the 40 tonnes of cyanide stored at the Prairie Creek mine site.

The assembly passed a resolution saying that the Dehcho will continue to press to have the cyanide neutralized and removed.

During the discussion on the land use plan, Marie Lafferty, president of the Fort Simpson Metis Nation said that it would not be useful to expand the park while the cyanide is still at the mine site.

"Lets get that poison out of there," said Lafferty.

Special guests

Delegates heard brief speeches by special guests former MP Wally Firth and Chief Will Mayo from Tanana, Alaska.

After speaking about the early days of the Indian Brotherhood, Firth urged the assembly to look at the education system.

The current system isn't working and needs to be scrapped, said Firth. Currently there are large numbers of dropouts and students need to upgrade before entering southern colleges and universities.

Firth said delegates should speak with both teachers and non-aboriginals to plan a new system.

In his address, Chief Will Mayo spoke on how the U.S. dealt with land claims and pipelines in Alaska.

Mayo said he was encouraged by the leadership he has seen in the Dehcho and urged leaders to remain united.

"It's like you are in a war for your culture," said Mayo.