After being delayed a day to allow for celebrations of life for two community members, the 54th Dene National Assembly starts Wednesday in Dettah.
The draft agenda lists a 9 a.m. feeding of the fire ceremony, with a Candidate Forum on Wednesday afternoon.
It will feature a record number of candidates 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.
Thursday is election day, starting at 9 a.m. and ending with a Drum Dance that night after results are announced at 8 p.m. The election voting could go up to three rounds, if necessary.
Friday, will feature statements from Dene chiefs and resolutions.
Nominations for chief opened on April 26 and closed on May 24. Candidates were required to be nominated by five active members of the Dene Nation, including two current Dene Nation chiefs.
Over a three-year term, the Dene National Chief also serves as the NWT Regional Chief for the Assembly of First Nations.
On Friday, there will be a discussion at 1 p.m. on Dene Nation Constitution reform.
At 2 p.m., there is a discussion on BC Hydro Case and industrial tailings leaks from the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation
Imperial Oil’s Kearl oilsands facility has been leaking wastewater, spilling an estimated 5.3 million litres of industrial waste water into nearby forest and wetlands from a storage pond.
The GNWT has also accused the Alberta government of breaching their agreement to provide timely information regarding the spills. The Athabasca River is interconnected with Lake Athabasca, which in turn supplies water to the Slave River, ultimately flowing into the Northwest Territories.
At 3 p.m., will be a leadership discussion on recommendations for Dene Nation priorities.
Also, look for coverage on our website, social media channels and during our regular 5 p.m. English newscast.
Who are the candidates? Each boasts a full resumé:
Gerald Antoine: Antoine is a veteran Dene politician. He was born in Fort Simpson and was Chief of the Łı́ı́dlı̨ Kų́ e First Nation. He has also served as Grand Chief of the Dehcho First Nations. Antoine has held the position since 2021, defeating former Sahtu MLA Yak’eula in the Dene Nation’s first ever virtual election.
Gerry Cheezie: He is a former chief of Smith’s Landing First Nation and is chair of the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority. He was also housing and public works coordinator for Smith’s Landing First Nation, and program advisor for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation.
Paulie Chinna: Served one term as MLA for the Sahtu, during which she was minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, minister of Housing, and minister Responsible for Homelessness. For two decades, Chinna worked with the GNWT across various departments, contributing to policy development and strategic planning.
George Mackenzie: Mackenzie served multiple terms as Tłı̨chǫ grand chief. He has also been a teacher, vice principal at Chief Jimmy Bruneau Regional High School, president of Tlicho Investment corporation.
April Martel: Martel has led the Kátł’odeeche First Nation (KFN) since 2018. In the summer of 2020, KFN members passed a custom land code allowing them to manage their own land, resources and economic development in a timely manner without federal oversight from Indigenous Services Canada. Martel said it was the first reserve in the NWT to pass a land law in Canada.
Norman Yake’ eula, of Tulita. Is an advocate for Indigenous holistic and specific Dene cultural wellness and education. His wife, Sheryl, was elected last fall as Dehcho MLA.
For those attending Dettah in person, the proceedings will be presented in both Dene and English with the simultaneous translation being offered during the days of the event.
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.
