Roxanna Thompson
Northern News Services
Friday, May 18, 2007

NAHANNI BUTTE - A lot of things have changed since the last time Morris Vital was chief.

Vital was elected as chief of the Nahanni Butte Dene Band on May 4 with 35 votes, 10 more than Peter Marcellais at 25 and Fred Tesou at 19.

Being a chief now involves a lot of meetings, said Vital. In the 1970s when Vital acted as sub-chief for approximately three years meetings were less frequent. The handful of meetings each year only happened when planes brought people into the community, he said. There were also some meetings held in Yellowknife, but only a few, he said.

"Now it's really busy," he said.

Even on May 7, his first day as chief, Vital could foresee a lot of meetings in his future. He plans to attend as many meetings as possible to catch up on the issues that are arising in the Deh Cho region and other places.

Vital remembers attending some important events in the 1970s including Indian Brotherhood meetings in Yellowknife. When he started as sub-chief he was only 17.

Having returned to a position as chief, Vital now hopes to focus on this generation of the community's youth.

Along with a number of elders who urged him to run as chief, there were also some young people, said Vital. The youth are asking for more training and jobs.

"We should bring jobs to the community," he said.

Helping youth find jobs will strengthen the future of the community, he said.

The availability of work is also one of the main concerns for adult band members, said Vital. Housing and an all-weather road to the community are also important concerns that Vital said he plans to address.

As soon as possible, Vital said he plans to hold a community meeting to find out what residents would like to see the leadership focus on. One thing he will particularly listen for is opinions on Canadian Zinc's Prairie Creek mine site.

Many community members have already voiced their concerns about the effects that the mine could have on the rivers, water and land. The issue also extends beyond the community, said Vital.

"It concerns a lot of people, not only in the North," he said.

Vital said he will listen to the input from the community, but personally he feels that opportunities at the mine site and on the new winter road could be used to employ young people.

"If they are going to go ahead we have to work with them," said Vital referring to Canadian Zinc and their mine and road.