Phillipe Morin
Northern News Services
Monday, July 16, 2007
FORT MCPHERSON - The role of Fort McPherson's Tetlit Gwich'in Chief used to be hereditary, passed down through generations.
In fact, the community's celebrated Chief Julius Salu was the first to break this convention and be elected in 1921.
Since then, the community has voted for the office of Gwich'in Chief.
The band office has become a modern institution involved in local government, which also has a deep traditional history.
On July 11, News/North spoke with outgoing Chief Johnny Kay, who recently lost a bid for re-election to Wilbert Firth.
Kay discussed his feelings about famous Gwich'in leaders of the past, the importance of education in the hamlet, and even what he might say to the legendary Chief Julius Salu.
NEWS/NORTH: You recently lost a bid for re-election to Wilbert Firth, who will be taking office of Tetlit Gwich'in Chief. What are your thoughts these days?
JOHNNY KAY: I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I feel good, it's time for me to move on and look at other opportunities.
Right now I'm getting ready to head down the highway and meet some friends at a healing conference outside Edmonton.
NN: How long had you spent as Chief?
JK: One term, so two years and eight months.
NN: What are some favourite stories or accomplishments in that time?
JK: There's been a number of things. I remember when I first came on board it was a whole new experience for me, a new challenge. It's made be a better person.
I remember when I first came on board there was a lot of talk about the pipeline. We were also part of the Access and Benefits agreement. That was a real learning experience for me, but we took the challenge and today we have that agreement. (Access and Benefits Agreements are signed between resource extraction companies and aboriginal communities. They detail what type of work is allowed on community land and what compensation residents will get. The Gwich'in Tribal Council finalized such an agreement in December 2005.)
NN: "Gwich'in Chief" is a term with a lot of history, there's been many of them over generations. How does it feel to be part of that tradition?
JK: Certainly, it's been an honour to take that role.
It's one thing to get elected, but it's another thing to carry that title with honour and respect. I feel I accomplished that and I feel good about it.
Here in Fort McPherson, there's been a long line of leadership - right from Chief Julius Salu, Chief John Tetlitchi, Chief John Charlie, James Ross, Robert Alexie Jr - a lot of people have taken on the leadership of the Gwich'in people and I'm glad to have been a part of that.
NN: Is there perhaps one greatest Chief, who you feel stands above the rest?
JK: (laughter) Yes, I would say probably the old Chief Julius Salu. He had a vision for education, and today the school is named in his honour. He was a traditional and respected Chief.
(Note: Fort McPherson's first school opened in 1947 thanks to Chief Julius Salu's requests, sparing students travel to Hay River or Aklavik.)
NN: If you could meet Chief Julius today, and explain what Fort McPherson looks like in 2007, what would you tell him?
JK: His vision was for education for the young people and today you can see that.
The result is that a lot of our people are in top positions, not only in Fort McPherson but right across the NWT and Canada.
That's all from his vision that our people needed to get education.
I would be honoured to meet and talk to him, and explain that we always take to heart the spirit and intent of Treaty 11, which was signed by him in 1921.
NN: Where do you see the community of Fort McPherson going in the future?
JK: It's an exciting time. Right now, we have a lot of things on the table including self-government.
Sure it's a challenge, but I think we're ready for that challenge. So, I'm excited when people talk about self-government.
NN: What will you be doing next, personally?
JK: Like I said I'm just about to head down the highway, to a healing conference in Edmonton.
It's been a long couple of years. I've lost a few of my family members but I still continued to be there for the people, and now I need to take care of myself.
I'm going to meet some friends, go down the highway and go to this healing conference.
NN: Do you have any advice for Frederick "Sonny" Blake Jr, who recently became Gwich'in Chief of Tsiigehtchic at the age of 30?
JK: Personally, I know Sonny. We've travelled together and he knows where I come from and what I stand for.
I would say you need to have unity, and be a team player with the Gwich'in Tribal Council.
I think Sonny knows that, and I certainly don't need to tell him what to do.
My advice to Sonny is to continue to be at the table, and always remember the elders that got him there.
