LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
Deh Cho leaders have agreed to take a different approach to a regional corporation that is expected to result in more economic opportunities for member communities.

Chief Minnie Letcher of Liidlii Kue First Nation makes a point about the use of leadership caucuses during the Dehcho First Nations' spring leadership meeting in Fort Simpson May 15. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

Leaders unanimously passed a resolution on May 15 to change the name of the Dehcho Economic Corporation to the Dehcho Regional Corporation and to turn it into a platform for Dehcho First Nations' (DFN) member communities to benefit from resource development and opportunities taking place within the region and beyond. The corporation will also have a focus on training and capacity development for DFN's membership. The economic corporation was formed in 2001 as an economic arm for DFN.

Deh Cho leaders were gathered in Fort Simpson from May 13 to 15 for DFN's spring leadership meeting. The leaders reached their position on the corporation during a caucus that was held behind closed doors on the evening of May 14.

During the caucus, the leaders were able to work together and reach a consensus in a way that hasn't happened for a number of years, said Chief Minnie Letcher of Liidlii Kue First Nation in Fort Simpson. The leaders looked at how to work collectively on business opportunities, she said.

"We did this for the betterment of our communities," said Letcher.

The decision about the corporation is all about working together and maximizing opportunities, said Chief Tim Lennie of Pehdzeh Ki First Nation in Wrigley.

In the past, there has been conflict between First Nations in the Deh Cho as they negotiate with the territorial government and industry for contracts without considering each other, he said.

Lennie wants to see the First Nation and Metis groups consolidate their resources and work together to secure contracts linked to projects like the Prairie Creek Mine and the Mackenzie Valley Fibre Optic Link.

"We need to rethink because we're losing here. All of the money is going down south," he said.

Lennie also talked about the need to build capacity, which the corporation can address. Wrigley primarily has semi-retired heavy equipment operators and few other skilled members or youth, he said.

Chief Joachim Bonnetrouge of Deh Gah Got'ie First Nation in Fort Providence also spoke in favour of the motion.

"The main focus was for our young people," he said.

In a separate resolution leaders voted to appoint Brenda Gauthier, Lorraine Whiteman, Wesley Pellissey and Albert Lafferty to the corporation's board of directors for a three-year term. The four people were recommended for the positions by a selection committee that was tasked with the job during DFN's winter leadership meeting.

When businesses are established they always seem to get embroiled in politics, said DFN Grand Chief Herb Norwegian. He said he was glad that the leaders came to an agreement on the corporation so it can become a tool for the communities to use.

The spring leadership meeting is normally used as a preparation ground for the annual assembly in June. Issues are raised and discussed so decisions can be made during the assembly, said Norwegian.

The leaders spent a portion of the meeting in camera hearing about and discussing DFN's bilateral negotiations with the territorial government with regards to devolution. DFN hopes to have another special leadership meeting before the annual assembly to discuss their position further so a recommendation can be made to the assembly, he said.

Norwegian said this meeting was not an easy one.

"It's a tug of war back and forth," he said. "Some leaders are more vocal than others."

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.