LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
With a strategic planning and governance workshop on the horizon, Liidlii Kue First Nation (LKFN) has now put in place policies and procedures for elections and governance along with personnel and financial management.

Liidlii Kue First Nation has updated its policies and procedures in anticipation of an upcoming planning meeting. - April Hudson/NNSL photo

Chief Gerald Antoine met with LKFN's eight councillors as well as the band's senior management on Nov. 7 and 8 for a roles and responsibilities workshop.

LKFN executive director Liza McPherson said the workshop helped council to better understand their roles and gave them an opportunity to formalize policies, which up until now they had been following unofficially.

"(The band) did have policies, but they were never formally approved. We did update them in 2013 when we had a workshop, but they were never passed," McPherson said.

According to a media advisory from the band, the council will be bringing forward the approved policies to membership for input and possible amendment.

The advisory further states that passing important policies and procedures gives leadership and staff the tools to work as a team and effectively govern LKFN.

McPherson said the policies and procedures are built on the foundation of Dene laws and principles of respect, honesty and caring for each other.

"(Those are) just the basic laws of life, I think," she said.

In the release, Antoine stated creating policies and procedures on Dene laws will "strengthen and give security to all LKFN leaders and staff."

"Everyone knows what the rules are. I'm sure the membership will be pleased to hear this," he stated.

LKFN will be hosting a strategic planning and governance workshop from Nov. 24 to 26. Band members are being invited to participate.

That workshop is intended to look at progress made on the 2012 LKFN strategic plan and identify how best to update the plan to meet current needs of the band's membership.

The 2012 plan includes goals to exercise and assert Dehcho governance, achieve economic self-sufficiency, develop educated and trained band members, maintain and celebrate Liidlii Kue's language and culture, improve communications with band members and other people, improve social health and well-being of band members, support staff and youth, and ensure access to safe and appropriate housing.

That plan was governed by mission and vision statements, which include an intent to have full control over traditional lands and social programs.

The meeting will be held at the Fort Simpson recreation centre.

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