Former Tłı̨chǫ grand chief turned Dene National chief, George Mackenzie, says he plans on taking a hard look at its “outdated” constitution as one of his top priorities in office.
“We need to modernize the Dene Nation Constitution,” he says, “to fit the needs of the five regions’ political position.”
Regarding land claims and self-government agreements, each region in the territory is uniquely positioned, with 12 negotiations still active.
A process which began in 1975 between the territorial government and Indigenous peoples was up for debate at the 54th Dene National Assembly in Dettah earlier this month.
Mackenzie stresses the Dene Nation could help fill the gaps and support each region during its negotiations.
“If the five regions have self-government, we can support each other, help each other.”
CKLB caught up with Chief Mackenzie on his new role and thoughts on the future of the Dene Nation and his commitment to uphold the priorities of the Dene on both a territorial and national level.
Let’s go back to that moment, just a few days ago, when you were announced the Dene National Chief, what was that moment like for you?
I watched it from my position as a former grand chief. I have a good idea of what the work is about and what needs to be done. So that’s why I put my name forward.
When the Indian Brotherhood started in the late 60s they had a different way of running it because it was geared to protect the treaty rights.
After that, the Dene Nation was formed, same organization, different name. It was to settle land claims in the five regions.
Any foreseeable challenges you see in modernizing the Constitution?
There always is a challenge.
How can you say in the Constitution to be a self-government, you know, small communities have no capacity. And I say who is running everything for us today? Mostly, the NWT government.
They are just an agency for us. Who is to say, if we want to we can find our own contract, our own agency. And we can include our young, educated men, and ladies to be part of our own agency. So, I think it’s doable.
And we have to make sure we never tamper with the treaties. That’s what the Elders tell us. Don’t touch the treaty agreement.
So, in a way, that is a challenge because non-Aboriginals like to challenge the treaties.
How do you plan on bringing everything to the national table and representing Denendeh on a national scale?
I am a new kid on the block.
I’ve never been involved with the AFN level in a big way.
It’s new to me and I have to study the files.
We want to be committed to AFN. We want to support it and want AFN to support us.
I’ll make my important trips to Ottawa if I need to, but I don’t need to do it every trip, I can get help to do this. But the strong ties have to remain with AFN. My concentration will be at home, working to rebuild the Dene Nation by modernizing the Constitution. I only have three years to do that.
So as a national chief, I have to be a shining example, going out on the land—in between my meetings of course.
A lot of things were discussed at the Dene National Assembly, everything from a housing crisis to a drug crisis. Now, the Dene Nation has about a $200,000 annual deficit and a $1.2 million cumulative deficit over eight years. Where is the money going to come from to fulfill these resolutions?
I would say it’s a skeleton budget to represent 31 communities.
Its not enough money, so how do we pay back our deficit when we don’t have our own corporation that makes money for us. But there are ways to do that and that’s where were going to put our heads together and make a strategic plan on how we will get rid of the deficit as quickly as possible.
I’m familiar with this kind of situation. We’re putting a good team together, if we need to, hire a professional consultant.
Lots of accomplishments to happen and a lot of work to improve the image of the Dene Nation. All of that requires money and we want to involve the Elders in a big way.
I know you’re preparing for your first big meeting at the Water is Sacred conference, hoping you can tell me a little bit about that?
The last time I spoke on the water conference was when I was a grand chief around 2006.
It’s the same issue.
What we see is the water downstream is getting worse. Its not heathy water. We got to do something today as fast as we can and put a lot of effort into it.
This water conference has to be like a movement like it was with the Berger Inquiry. It has to get international attention. That’s why I took this on.
I’m there mostly to listen, I will speak but I will listen more. I got to remind myself what my father always told me; to be quiet and not to talk to much.
This water issue should be constantly in the media, in all languages like it was done for the Berger Inquiry.
What does the future of the Dene Nation under your leadership look like?
When I attended the annual gathering in Dettah. I listened to all the chiefs, councillors and Elders. When I heard them speaking it reminded me of the olden days. They were very powerful speakers. They had a voice of authority and I witnessed this. There’s hope in all that.
When I reorganize the Dene Nation to meet the needs of our young generations.
There is hope for young people in the future for they will stand tall, be proud they are Dene people connected to the land and share the resources properly with the world.
The interview has been edited for length and clarity.
