Calls for Dene Nation to finally build its own headquarters

The Dene Nation should construct its own building, for use as a central gathering place and also to reduce the nearly $630,000 in rent each year for its existing offices.

The 54th Dene National Assembly in Dettah’s 400-person Chief Drygeese Conference Centre was standing room only from the start today of the three-day conference.

Ernest Betsina is chief of Dettah.

“So if we’re spending that amount of money, why don’t why don’t we pay into a mortgage? Why don’t we have our own building we call our own?” he asked.

Talk quickly went to coming up with a budget, then project cost estimates and even looking at floor plans.

Look for a resolution to be brought forward today or tomorrow, as  the project appeared to have good support.

At present, the Dene Nation has its main office on the Kátł’odeeche First Nation, and rents space for its sub-office in a modern block on 49 Street in Yellowknife.

The idea of a Dene building of some sort — perhaps a cultural centre — was a favourite topic for some local columnists to explore some years ago whenever discussions landed on what to do with the so-called 50/50 lot in downtown Yellowknife.

The thoughts were if it was purposefully designed and had a retail component, it could help boost the tourism sector.

Concerns had been raised over the Dene Nation’s drop in funding from the national Assembly of First Nations and an over-reliance on federal money.

Some delegates also expressed support for more generous scholarships and bursaries for Dene students, as education is vitally important.

And all of the above was just in discussions over the auditor’s report.

The 54th Dene National Assembly in Dettah’s 400-person Chief Drygeese Conference Centre was standing room only from the start today of the three-day conference.

The question of how to actually vote for the new national chief had to be ironed out — a process which took most of the day. It meant the candidates’’ forum will now be Thursday morning, followed by a vote.

The agenda had a new voting system this year: Two-or-three-rounds, dropping off also-rans,  until someone earns 50-per-cent-plus-one vote. It used to be a simple first-past-the-post style, with the candidate with the most votes being the winner.

John Catholique is a sub-chief from LustleK’e.

He said changes to the voting system is creative a lot of confusion — and division.

“I know Trump would say, ‘“This whole thing is rigged!” said the respected Elder, to a round of laughter.

“Pre-voting? Online voting? We should keep it simple. It’s kind of getting away from the way that our people used to select leadership.  There are some of us, we want to go back to our traditional way of governance … the way our forefathers used to operate before the treaties were signed.

“We need to get back to that. We’re creating confusion and division. We all understand we all have to work together.”

A record number of candidates are running for National Chief.

They are: Gerald Antoine (incumbent), predecessor chief Norman Yak’e ula, former Tłı̨chǫ grand chief George Mackenzie, Kátł’odeeche First Nation Chief April Martel, former Sahtu MLA Paulie Chinna, and former Smith’s Landing First Nation chief Gerry Cheezie.

You can listen live on CKLB to the entire event over the air or streaming via our Facebook page, which is called The Voice of Denendeh.

Also, look for coverage on our website, social media channels and during our regular 5 p.m. English newscast.