Christine Grimard
Northern News Services
Published Monday, November 5, 2007

RAE-EDZO - An emergency Tlicho session held in Behchoko to determine the fate of Grand chief George Mackenzie ended in overwhelming support to keep him on for his remaining two years.

The session was called after three of the four sub-chiefs asked Mackenzie to resign, saying he didn't have the leadership skills to fulfil his job.

"I was caught off guard and really surprised, shocked," said Mackenzie. "I didn't think it was going to lead to this."

Following the chiefs' request, Mackenzie called for an emergency session in Behchoko, which was held Oct. 22 to 26. All assembly members agreed to the emergency session except for the three chiefs who were demanding his resignation, Behchoko Chief Leon Lafferty, Whati Chief Charlie Jim Nitsiza, and Gameti Chief Henry Gon, according to an e-mail sent Oct. 13 by John B. Zoe, executive director of the Tlicho government.

Mackenzie rallied support prior to the meeting with broadcasts spoken in Dogrib on CKLB radio.

What followed in the meeting was a show of support for Mackenzie, and some frustration expressed by the three chiefs.

Mackenzie said the three chiefs walked out of the meeting twice, but returned on the final day, eventually making peace.

While Lafferty did shake hands with Mackenzie on the final day, he says he's far from making peace with a leader he still thinks isn't up to the job.

"There's outstanding issues that have to be dealt with," said Lafferty.

He said there were several issues discussed in-camera that should have been discussed in public, such as the constitution. Lafferty also accused the translators of being biased and not interpreting conflict of interest accusations Lafferty was bringing forward.

Lafferty said he agreed to keep working with Mackenzie on the final day, as he counted and saw that Mackenzie had the majority of the people's support.

"It's like they did me a favour," said Mackenzie. "I have more support now than when I was elected."

The internal strife caused some trouble for community members, not used to having their political issues aired in public.

Johnny Simpson, a former youth worker originally from Whati, said the conflict was difficult for the younger population still adapting to the new self-government.

"We didn't know how to deal with it," said Simpson. "They're supposed to be our mothers and fathers."

Lawrence Nitsiza, also of Whati, wasn't happy with the behaviour of the dissenting chiefs.

"For the three chiefs to walk out of the meeting that's ridiculous," said Nitsiza. "That's not a good role model for our young people."

As the new government continues to form, both Lafferty and Mackenzie challenged that the other was taking actions against the Tlicho constitution.

Mackenzie challenged the chiefs' right to replace him, saying there was nothing outlining that another election could take place prior to the end of his term.

Section 12.2 of the Tlicho constitution says that the chief can only be replaced if they are unable to continue in office, or if they miss two consecutive meetings of the Tlicho Assembly or Chiefs Executive Council without reasonable excuse. There are no other sections in the constitution outlining what would take place in the case of a loss of confidence by the sub-chiefs.

Lafferty said he understood the term "unable" in this case as not being up to the job. Mackenzie said the section refers to medical or other circumstances that would render a chief unable, and that internal strife should be solved by other means. He added that otherwise the community would be subject to an endless stream of elections.

Lafferty challenged Mackenzie's right to call the emergency meeting, saying it was a waste of money and unconstitutional.

"There's no such thing as an emergency assembly," said Lafferty. "I don't think one person's paycheque is an emergency."

The Tlicho constitution sets out in section 8.6 that the Tlicho Assembly shall meet at least five times per year, and may convene other meetings as necessary. It was this understanding of "meetings" where the chiefs disagreed, as to whether it includes additional assemblies as well.

As the Tlicho experience the growing pains as one of Canada's first self-governing Aboriginal nations, Mackenzie said he wants to send the message that despite the internal strife, the government is functioning.

"It is unfortunate that this kind of negativity had to go out into the world," said Mackenzie. "The Tlicho government is functioning well. The Tlicho government is ready and willing to do business."

Mackenzie said he now wants to set up a planning session workshop to outline the steps that need to be taken to implement self-government.

"Tlicho government is one of the first self-governments," he said. "If we succeed, the other (self-governments) have a chance of succeeding. If we fail, the future doesn't look good."