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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Akaitcho Territory Dene First Nations chiefs and the territorial government pledged their commitment to a new way of doing things - working together, instead of against each other - during a special meeting in Yellowknife on May 23.

"Our government is committed to a new way of doing business and making real progress on the issues that are important to aboriginal governments and communities," said Premier Bob McLeod during the meeting at the legislative assembly.

Along with discussing common issues that affect all four Akaitcho communities, the premier and the four chiefs - Chief Louis Balsillie of Deninu K'ue First Nation in Fort Resolution, Chief Dora Enzoe of the Lutsel K'e First Nation, Chief Edward Sangris of Dettah, and Chief Roy Erasmus Sr., acting chief for Ndilo - signed an intergovernmental co-operation memorandum of understanding (MOU).

"Formalizing our relationship through regular government-to-government meetings and the signing of our intergovernmental co-operation MOU are a key part of our new approach to building partnerships with aboriginal governments with a spirit of respect, recognition and responsibility," said McLeod.

The seven-page document, which will be in effect for the next four years, is not legally binding. However, it outlines a renewed understanding of the importance of working together for the benefit of their constituents. Under the MOU, there will be two meetings between Akaitcho chiefs and all members of the GNWT executive council per year: one in Yellowknife and one in an Akaitcho community.

In a follow-up e-mail, McLeod stated "while the MOU does not directly address devolution, the MOU provides further opportunity for our governments to sit down and discuss matters, including devolution ... I remain convinced that devolution offers yet another area where we can work together and provide additional benefit to the people we serve. We will of course respect the decisions of the Akaitcho government on this matter."

The MOU also calls for each government to share information with the others on upcoming activities and issues that arise in the communities.

During a closed-door meeting that followed the signing of the MOU, main topics included: devolution, trespassing on commissioner's and Crown land, improving the Dettah Access Road, what to do with the abandoned fuel distribution lines in Fort Resolution, Lutsel K'e Dene School renovations, and funding concerns for Ndilo.

Before the meeting was closed to the media, each of the four chiefs outlined some of the concerns in their communities.

Common themes included education, effective healthcare and a lack of adequate housing.

"Teacher housing is a very, very big issue for us in Lutsel K'e," said Lutsel K'e First Nation Chief Dora Enzoe. "Last year, we lost two teachers, this year we're losing one more."

Also, the school in Lutsel K'e is in need of renovations, as is the Dettah school, which originated as a second-hand building.

"Deninu K'ue is no different than any other community. We have housing and education (issues), suicides, alcohol, drugs, cancer is the biggest issue for me - we've lost a lot of loved ones, a lot of friends and relatives to cancer," said Chief Louis Balsillie from Fort Reliance.

Both chief and council members and territorial politicians are elected by the people, and should be working for the greater good for all, said Balsillie, while most around the table nodded their head in agreement.

"Each one of us are elected - we all work for our people in our communities," he said.

The issues faced in Akaitcho communities - and in many other communities throughout the North - tie back to cultural challenges faced by First Nations peoples since moving off the land, said acting Ndilo Chief Roy Erasmus Sr.

"Now, all you've got to do is go pick up your cheque, whether it's from your office job or (the Department of Education, Culture and Employment) for income support," he said. "You get your cheque and you go to the store to pick up food. If you want to have your water you just turn on the tap - you don't have to go down to the lake to go get it anymore. Just having moved off the land recently, many people don't understand nutrition."

Also, education needs to be a priority, he said. Several years ago, the GNWT decided to add more grades to smaller schools. However, this decision needs to be backed up with funding, said Erasmus.

"If government isn't going to put any money behind something, there's no use calling it a priority," he said.

Akaitcho people tend to feel forgotten by the territorial and federal governments because they have yet to settle their land claim or finalize a self-government agreement, said Sangris.

"Just because we don't have agreements doesn't mean we can't be included in that vision (for the NWT)," he said. "Us Akaitcho, we do have a vision of being able to provide for our people.

"By signing this understanding, hopefully we can move further in helping our people and helping the North grow stronger little by little. That's what we're here for and hopefully this is just a first step in working with the government as we try to achieve self-sufficiency through our agreements."

Fact file

Priorities include:

* Economic development that will allow Akaitcho citizens to benefit from all aspects of the Northern economy.

* Management of air, land, water and wildlife.

* Employment, skill development and training.

* Creating effective social programs, specifically in health services, education, elder support, income support, housing, policing and justice.

Source: Akaitcho Dene

and GNWT intergovernmental

memorandum of understanding

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