DENINU KU'E/FORT RESOLUTION - An annual general assembly has been called by Deninu Ku'e First Nation (DKFN), which may help settle a long-running leadership dispute.

The assembly has been scheduled for July 15.

Acting Chief Louis Balsillie: annual general assembly not called as result of petition. - NNSL file photo

The Fort Resolution band has not held such a gathering in a year and a half because of a court case by Bill Norn, who claims wrongful dismissal over his 2007 ouster as chief.

Last month, a membership petition was launched calling for an assembly, followed by a new election for chief and council. The petition threatened legal action if an assembly was not called.

Tom Unka, a voice behind the petition, believes it pushed the acting chief and council to call the assembly.

"Without the petition, they probably would have tried to ride it out," Unka said.

However, Acting Chief Louis Balsillie said this is not the case.

Instead, Balsillie said it is time for an assembly.

"We can't keep on holding it off," he said, adding he knows band membership is upset the assembly has been delayed for so long.

The acting chief hopes Norn's case will be settled by July 15.

"Regardless if it’s not dealt with, we'll go ahead," Balsillie said.

The acting chief said the timing is right for an assembly because the band recently renewed a co-management agreement with Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and an audit will be completed by July 15.

The petition stated that, if notice of an assembly was not posted by May 31, legal action would follow.

Band council needs a reboot, Unka said, referring to the call for a new election for chief and council. "Let's forget protocol and do things in a meaningful way."

Balsillie said some people who signed the petition were not told it calls for a new election for chief and council.

While that demand is in the petition's preamble, he said some people didn't read it.

However, Balsillie said he doesn't expect an election will be called.

"I don't think that will come because I have faith in the membership," he said.

Balsillie's term – he was elected as a councillor – and that of another councillor end in September, while the other three councillors' terms run to next year.

In July of 2007, Norn was suspended by council – after being elected to a four-year term five months earlier – and dismissed in December of that year.

Since Norn's dismissal, Balsillie has argued a new election for chief cannot be held because, if Norn is reinstated by a court after a new chief is elected, the band could end up with two chiefs.

"Our hands are still tied until we deal with the court issue," he said.

However, he noted the band may have to go ahead with another election if that is the wish of band membership.

When contacted by News/North, Norn said his court case may be concluded by July 15.

"Anything is possible," he said, noting the two sides are awaiting a time slot in the NWT Supreme Court.

The ousted chief said the upcoming assembly will have no impact on his court case.

Norn declined to talk specifics about the case, including whether or not he will seek reinstatement.

Unka, who worked for the band as environmental manager, has been dismissed.

A recent letter from the band notifying him of his dismissal quoted from a News/North story in May.

In that article, Unka said he received a letter asking him to appear before band council to discuss his situation, but he will only appear before a new chief and council.

In the dismissal letter, the band cited Unka's statement that he would only appear before a new chief and council as a basis for dismissal.

"Obviously, he doesn't want to work with us," Balsillie said.

Unka said he will try to get his job back when a new chief and council are in place.

"I will fight for it," he said.

If that fails, Unka said he may take legal action.