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DEH GAH GOT'IE KOE/FORT PROVIDENCE
More than just a lack of facilities was behind the decision not to host Mackenzie Days this year, according to the mayor of Fort Providence.

Members of the Mackenzie Days Committee are still arguing that some of the celebration's events, such as the handgames tournament that Marcel Gargan, left, Adam Nadli and Eric Gargan played in last year, could have still been held outdoors with the help of the Fort Providence Combined Council Alliance. - NNSL file photo

On July 8, the Fort Providence Combined Council Alliance, comprised of the Hamlet of Fort Providence, Deh Gah Got'ie First Nation and the Fort Providence Metis Council held a meeting to discuss the future of the annual summer celebration. Following the meeting, a notice stating the event wouldn't be hosted because of a lack of facilities was posted around the hamlet.

The fact that the recreation centre isn't available because it is undergoing repairs and upgrades was a major factor, said Mayor Tina Gargan, but the combined council also looked at other issues surrounding Mackenzie Days.

Over the years the celebration, which is held over the August long weekend in the hamlet, had developed a bad reputation including instances of public intoxication and increased violence, Gargan said.

"It just escalated every year," she said.

Mackenzie Days was geared toward its two biggest events – the bingo and the adult dance – and there were few sober events, she said.

In the past the hamlet council received letters from concerned citizens and reports from the RCMP about incidents that took place during the Mackenzie Days weekend.

In recent years, the council barricaded the camping area near the big rock in the community where people had previously been allowed to camp.

"Recently, it was getting out of control," she said.

Gargan said the combined council had to consider the ongoing social issues the community is facing and how Mackenzie Days fits in with them.

There was also a number of concerns about the transparency of the Mackenzie Days Committee and how the funds they raised are used. The committee isn't a registered society and isn't accountable to anyone, said Gargan.

During the July 8 meeting, the combined council decided to dissolve the committee.

"The Mackenzie Days Committee doesn't exist anymore," she said.

There will be no Mackenzie Days events this year, said Gargan. The combined council agreed to form a new group that may revive Mackenzie Days in future years or create something new.

Each governing body in Fort Providence will appoint one member to the new committee and then the group will be opened up to interested community members. The new committee will be registered and accountable and will establish guidelines for any future groups that want to hold large events and fundraise for them, Gargan said.

"It's been 40 years and it's time for change," she said.

"We want to make it more family oriented if it continues."

The July 8 meeting was open to the public, said Gargan.

Alphonsine Gargan, a hamlet councillor and member of the Mackenzie Days Committee, attended the meeting. Gargan said she went as a committee member and tried to provide information about Mackenzie Days and its activities.

Last year, the committee did try to make Mackenzie Days more family oriented, Alphonsine said. Some people complain every year about social problems related to the celebration, but none of them volunteer to help with the planning and running of the events.

Alphonsine said the committee had discussed cancelling this year's 40th anniversary celebration because of the lack of facilities, but that no official decision had been made yet. Some of the outdoor events could have continued if the combined council had volunteered to help, she said.

Hamlet officials should have met with the Mackenzie Days Committee first before going to the combined council, said Alphonsine.

The committee could have cleared up some of their concerns and created a way to work together, she said.

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