'It is a good feeling for us in Deline'
Canada's first Indigenous public community self-government takes office
Robin Grant
Northern News Services
Monday, September 5, 2016
DELINE/FORT FRANKLIN
For more than 20 years, Deline elders have worked toward implementing a single First Nation government with the authority to make polices that best serve the community.
In the photo above, elder Charlie Neyelle raises the Deline Got'ine Government's ceremonial drum as the newly elected council looks on Sept. 1. The placing of the Drum before the council will signal the opening of all meetings of the new government. - photo courtesy Pat Kane
Deline, seen from the air in the photo at right, ushered in a new era Sept 1, with the new Deline Got'ine Government taking over the community on the western shores of Great Bear Lake. - photo courtesy GNWT |
On Sept. 1, when Deline officially became Canada's first community-based indigenous public government, years of hard work finally became a reality.
"It is a good feeling for us in Deline," said Raymond Tutcho, now head of the new government. It's the first of its kind here in the territories and Canada.
"And it provides a basis for a new relationship with the government and the people, plus Canada and the NWT. We've got our culture and spirituality and we've got to make sure government coincides with what we are as a people."
The Deline Got'ine Government (DGG) officially assumed power at midnight on Aug. 31 with the first meeting at which new laws and the first budget were passed.
The new government will replace the local band council, the land-claims body and the municipal government.
As an aboriginal government, its decisions will affect both aboriginal and non-aboriginal residents of the community, and all Deline First Nation citizens no matter where they live. However, territorial and federal laws will still have authority in the community.
The Deline government will only be able to supersede territorial or federal law in specific areas outlined in the self-government agreement.
The government's power will range from decisions over land use to municipal services, education and health. The self-government agreement provide many new powers for Deline such as:
- Community affairs and local services including the regulation of liquor and gaming.
- Aboriginal matters including language and culture.
- Education and early childhood education.
- Adoption.
- Health services.
- Social housing and income support.
- Tourism and economic development in the Deline district.
- Local land-use planning.
However, these will not all be taken on right away, says information provided by the new government.
The Deline Got'ine Government will decide when and how it takes on new powers. One example is in the areas of education and health services. They will continue to be managed by the GNWT, while the DGG prepares to take on authorities in those areas.
 | More control over local decisions | 
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As the Deline Got'ine Government builds its abilities over time, it will take on more powers and responsibilities in areas such as education and social programs, DGG information states.
As for the organization of the DGG, the leader must be Dene and the deal gives council the right to guarantee up to three-quarters of its seats for band members, who make up about 90 per cent of the community's 450 residents. Some seats, state DGG documents, will be open to non-band members in regular elections.
Those non-members, however, will not be eligible to vote in anything related to the land claim.
The idea was to give local people more control over local decisions, said Tutcho.
"It's more of a direct control. We've got powers to make law for ourselves," Tutcho told The Canadian Press, one of many regional and national media outlets that have swamped the new leader with interview requests.
Tutcho told News/North self-government provides the community with greater control over its language, culture, customs, traditions and land and water.
"We're aboriginal people and we rely so much on our land, water and animals. And the elders say that everything that lives around us is important so we need to make sure that people are aware of it," he said.
"It's not just for us. We're thinking of the future, and the kids who are still going to school. So we're doing it for them."
While a historic step for aboriginal self-government that 64 per cent of the community voted in favour of last March, some residents expressed mixed emotions.
"I've been talking to people around town and there's a few positives and a few negatives," said Deline resident, Nihtla Bezha.
"The negatives are they are suggesting it's too early for Deline to have self-government. And a lot of people are agreeing. People are saying it is not going to fund a whole community by itself and cut off a whole bunch of services and employment opportunities.
"The positive part of self-government is it is going to expand Deline. But I believe the expansion of Deline will bring in more tourists, more people from out of town ... that could potentially contaminate (Great Bear Lake).
From Sept. 5 to 8, the community will celebrate the Deline Got'ine government, with a delegation of guests and VIPs.
There will be a community lunch and supper, handgames demonstrations, drum dance. Also on the agenda are opening remarks on Sept. 7 from a family member of Prophet Ayah.
That same day, the Deline Got'ine Government Logo will be officially unveiled for all to see.
- with files from James O'Connor
