JanuaryPump up pipeline planning Dennis Nelner, Fort Simpson's deputy mayor, urged village council to fast-track property development and expand municipal boundaries to include the Mackenzie Valley pipeline right of way. That would ensure Imperial Oil becomes a corporate taxpayer and helps maximize village benefits, he said. Mayor Ray Michaud suggested that the village - a Euro-Canadian-style government - should defer to the Deh Cho's grand chief and Liidlii Kue First Nation's chief on a general plan. Deh Cho Bridge delay A proposed Mackenzie River bridge at Fort Providence faced a significant delay when an NWT regulatory board decided that an environmental assessment would be required. The NWT Chamber of Mines, which felt that tolls would unfairly penalize mining traffic by $1.5 million per year, requested the measure. Berna Landry, chief of the Deh Gah Got'ie band in Fort Providence, said the delay would give the community more time to prepare itself for the massive infusion of money, workers and construction supplies that will accompany the project. Erasmus hired to negotiate Former Dene Nation President and Assembly of First Nations' National Chief Georges Erasmus was named the Deh Cho First Nations' new chief negotiator. The region has been in formal self-government negotiations with the federal and territorial governments since 1999. "He was the ideal candidate," said Grand Chief Herb Norwegian, who worked under Erasmus in the late 1970s and early 1980s. "He's cautious, thorough and trustworthy - the three main elements we're looking for in a chief negotiator." UFO buzz in Fort Liard Fort Liard was buzzing with speculation that the hamlet was visited by aliens. Several residents reported seeing a light hovering over the community during the early evening hours of Jan. 18. One resident, Shirley Fantasque, said she actually caught the intergalactic drop-in on videotape. RCMP Cpl. Shane Christmas said a small white dot is visible on the tape, but the footage is too dark and grainy to determine what exactly it might be.
FebruaryPipeline plea for more resources Nahendeh MLA Kevin Menicoche said the Deh Cho needed more resources and expertise to prepare for a proposed Mackenzie Valley pipeline and it's up to the territorial government to do more. In the Legislative Assembly, Menicoche proposed setting up a pipeline readiness office in Fort Simpson to help deal with some of these problems. The office would be a resource centre for local governments and be a central contact point for industry, said Menicoche. Later in the year, the GNWT announced its pipeline readiness office would be located in Hay River. On the defensive Floyd Bertrand, chief of the Acho Dene Koe First Nation in Fort Liard, came under fire for accepting a $20,000 raise approved by band council. It increased his yearly salary to $90,000. Band members like Irene McLeod also criticized the chief and council for failing to hold public meetings. Bertrand replied that many things had been blown out of proportion and most band members were pleased with chief and council. Extraordinary volunteer Fort Simpson's Lee Cazon was lauded by the RCMP for his 3,600 volunteer hours as an auxiliary RCMP constable in 2003, an average of nearly 10 per day. "Lee is an exceptional young man. We're extremely appreciative of his efforts," said Chief Superintendent Everett Summerfield, commanding officer of the RCMP in the Northwest Territories. "It's absolutely remarkable." Fiddle fundamentals The Kole Crook Fiddle Association hosted close to 20 young musicians in a three-day workshop in Fort Providence. It was designed to instruct fiddle players how to teach the instrument to others. "With video games and television, there are a lot of distractions for kids," said Lewis Beck, one of the founders of the association. "Fiddling is a dying art. Something needs to be done to promote it." Fleeing Haiti Fort Simpson pilot Jacques Harvey, working on contract in Haiti, fled the country when rebels began laying siege to a few of its cities. "There's a revolution happening there. At one point we were told they needed money, otherwise they would blow up the runway," he said in a phone interview from the nearby Turks and Caicos Islands. Harvey safely returned to Fort Simpson in March.
MarchComplaints sink winter work Imperial Oil's winter geo-technical field work program, an important step towards building a Mackenzie Valley pipeline, was referred to an environmental assessment due to a variety of concerns raised by First Nations in the Deh Cho. Ten million dollars worth of work hung in the balance, but Keyna Norwegian, chief of the Liidlii Kue First Nation in Fort Simpson, said it was unacceptable that the most lucrative contracts went to Hay River companies. Liard bison hunt More than a dozen Fort Liard youths participated in a band-sponsored bison hunt at Fisherman Lake. "It was great," said Jonathon McLeod, a first-time bison hunter. "It was like skinning a moose, but harder. The hide is very thick." During the week on the land, the youths also learned to set traps and snares, as well as how to cut up and cook meat, he said. Education compasses assessment A report by an Edmonton education consultant indicated that elementary and junior high students in Fort Simpson lacked an academic bench-mark. The study recommended modifying report cards to better reflect the grade level at which students are functioning. It also advocated the use of assessment tools such as achievement tests. Nolan Swartzentruber, director of the Deh Cho's education board, said better student tracking measures were already being implemented and a curriculum council was formed. He added that the consultant who wrote the report has an "Edmonton perspective." Military manoeuvres at Fort Providence Thirty-two members of the Canadian Armed Forces returned to the Fort Providence area, this time for a two-week advanced winter warfare course. They worked alongside members of the Fort Providence Ranger patrol and held a public exhibition in the community before heading south again. Wise Rodh Albertine Rodh was named the Deh Cho's Wise Woman award winner by the NWT Status of Women Council. Described as a "friend, confidante, caregiver, listener, leader, respected elder and healer," Rodh was one of the founders of the Native Women's Association in the 1970s. Over the next few decades, she helped educate women on fetal alcohol syndrome, AIDS and other topical issues. She also delved into politics as the president of the Fort Simpson Metis Nation.
AprilCultural awareness needed from civil service Government employees from the South must be familiarized with Dene and Metis culture, Nahendeh MLA Kevin Menicoche said in the legislature. He pointed out that some southerners are ignorant of local lifestyle and traditions. Kathy Tsesto, chief executive officer for Deh Cho Health and Social Services, said she had already prepared a proposal call to provide cultural training. Bernier cleared A federal environment official was exonerated of conflict of interest allegations levelled by the Deh Cho First Nations. A report by investigating lawyer Vincent O'Donnell concluded that Paul Bernier "was not in real or potential conflict of interest in relation to the mineral claims recorded in the name of his wife." In October 2003, the DCFN accused Bernier of violating federal policy because his wife, Maureen, holds mineral claims on and near the proposed Mackenzie Valley pipeline route. Paul Bernier was involved in developing a regulatory co-operation plan for the pipeline. Drug crackdown for Thomas Simpson The RCMP and the Fort Simpson District Education Authority agreed to take on drug use at Thomas Simpson school. Principal Robert Byatt estimated that seven or eight per cent of the school's 130 junior high and high school students are periodically under the influence of drugs while on school grounds. Byatt said he also had strong indications that drugs are being dealt and used on school property. RCMP Cpl. Al Shepherd said the police are willing to make arrests and conduct investigations into drug activity at the school with backing from the principal and the DEA. Curling eight is great Team NWT scored a perfect eight points in a single end against the host foursome at the Canadian Firefighter Curling Association Hydrant Championships in Quebec. "You don't know if you're supposed to jump up and scream for joy, or if you're supposed to be sad for the other team," said NWT team member Pat Rowe, who was accompanied by Roger Pilling, Lee Scobie, Mike Grande and Steve Moss. Mouldy house of horrors A Fort Liard family was forced to move out of their Kotaneelee rental unit due to mould. The Housing Corporation identified a common construction deficiency in all 20 Kotaneelee units. The flaw was allowing moisture to collect in the crawlspace below the houses, according to Larry Campbell, the Housing Corporation's manager for the Deh Cho region.
MayArts exemplar a fine graduate Jean Marie River elder Sarah Hardisty - a master of beading, quilling, tanning and sewing - accepted an honourary fine arts diploma from Aurora College in Fort Smith. Her work has been displayed at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre in Yellowknife, at the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Ottawa and in and other museums and private collections in North America and Europe. Costly oil spill An estimated 3,000-5,000 litres of bunker-C oil leaked from an old bulk tank along Antoine Drive in Fort Simpson. The clean-up cost was pegged at approximately $122,000. The village of Fort Simpson turned to the territorial government for help to pay the bill. The leaking oil was primarily contained on site and within a nearby drainage ditch. Big-game outfitters fight Deh Cho First Nations passed a resolution to expel big-game outfitters from the region. Grand Chief Herb Norwegian said the outfitters have provided no benefit to First Nations' people. There were also suspicions about meat being wasted. Werner Aschbacher, a Whitehorse resident who purchased South Nahanni Outfitters in December, said he was willing to work with First Nations leaders and donate meat, but they refused to meet with him. Some local business owners, such as charter airline companies, said they would be affected by the loss of big-game outfitting businesses. Losing Jane Fort Providence principal Jane Arychuk was saluted by her peers after more than two decades of service. She left Deh Gah school for a job in Yellowknife at the end of June. Arychuk said her most cherished memories will include getting to see the students she taught in kindergarten reach graduation.
JuneLoyalty questioned by grand chief Deh Cho Grand Chief Herb Norwegian questioned the loyalty of two former Liidlii Kue leaders who agreed to work for industry. Rita Cli, who accepted a regional liaison position with Canadian Zinc, said she remains firm that aboriginal people want to control development. The best way to do that is to participate, she contended, and added that jobs are needed in the region. Jim Antoine, who was hired as a consultant by the Aboriginal Pipeline Group, chose not to respond to Norwegian's remarks. New venture Deh Cho Engineering and Environmental was launched with a signing ceremony in Fort Simpson. The business is a joint venture between several Deh Cho aboriginal businesspeople and Klohn Crippen, a Vancouver-based engineering firm. The new company, 51 per cent owned by the Deh Cho's Independent Aboriginal Business Group Inc. (IAB Group), was aiming for contracts associated with a Mackenzie Valley pipeline, a Deh Cho bridge and other major projects in the southern Mackenzie Valley. McLeod shuffled, gets MACA Michael McLeod was named the new minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. He retained the Transportation portfolio, but his responsibilities for Housing were turned over to David Krutko. McLeod told the Drum that he was disappointed he wouldn't get to see some of his housing initiatives "bear fruit." On the other hand, it's a difficult portfolio because residents with housing complaints are often emotional, he added. Grad fever Thirteen prospective high school graduates were recognized for their perseverance at a grad ceremony at the Papal site in Fort Simpson. They were: Amanda Ocko, Jonathan Antoine, Carter O'Neill, Sara Simons, Justin Byatt, Josanne Tanche, Samantha Konisenta, Jacinda Squirrel, Kyle Sibbeston, Savana Norwegian, Jennilyn Prevost, Jarret Hardisty and Janel McKee. Parched land for June Fort Simpson experienced its driest June since Environment Canada started keeping local records in 1964. A mere 5.2 millimetres of rain fell in the community over the 30 days, well below the normal 46.8 millimetres for that time of year, according to Environment Canada. It was also the third warmest June on record with a mean temperature of 16.2C in Fort Simpson. Normally the mean temperature is 12.6C.
JulyMore oil and gas, please Seventy-one per cent of respondents to a band membership survey are in favour of opening more parcels of Fort Liard land for oil and gas exploration, according to Chief Floyd Bertrand. He said band council was trying to build on the community's past industry experience and identify areas where the First Nation can reap more benefits from industry. Housing hold-back Raymond Kotchea said he hadn't made a mortgage payment in almost five years and he won't make another until the Housing Corporation fixes various problems that existed when he and his family moved into their Fort Liard house. Larry Campbell, manager of housing for the Nahendeh region, said Kotchea stopped paying his mortgage prematurely and the repairs he's seeking won't be done until his instalments resume, in accordance with Housing Corporation policy. Campbell also warned that those in arrears could lose their homes to foreclosure. Resolutions in limbo Only four of 34 resolutions on the assembly table at the Dehcho Annual Assembly in Kakisa were passed as quorum was lost after 5 p.m. on Friday. "It's just a bit disappointing. This is where direction is set," said Albert Lafferty, president of the Fort Providence Metis Council, of the community delegations that departed. One thing that was decided was that the Dehcho First Nations will now be known as DFN, as opposed to DCFN, because aboriginal leaders have adopted the spelling of Dehcho as one word. Dehcho means "big river" in Slavey. Constitution can wait Calling it too critical to rush, aboriginal leaders deferred the adoption of a draft constitution at the Kakisa assembly. That was despite a request from chief negotiator Georges Erasmus to support the document. He wanted to use it as the basis for an agreement-in-principle bargaining with the federal government. Ethel Lamothe, a LKFN delegate, said the draft constitution should be molded by the membership, not subject to negotiators' interpretation. Nurse shortage Due to a shortage of nurses, the Fort Simpson health centre was only open for emergencies for two weeks. Because of a couple of vacancies and a staff member on holidays, only a doctor and two nurses were available. "We can't get any relief nurses right at this point. We didn't have a choice," said Minnie Letcher, of Deh Cho Health and Social Services, adding that similar measures had been taken in the past in Fort Liard and Fort Providence.
AugustTrout Lake rescue saves two Elder Edward Jumbo recounted saving two men who had been fishing in a boat that overturned on Trout Lake. As the wind picked up on the Aug. 2 afternoon, Jumbo noticed the capsized boat near the centre of the lake as he was heading to an ecology camp. He helped pull one struggling Calgary tourist into his boat and then motored over to help the man's friend, who was swimming towards shore. Chief Cazon mourned Baptiste Cazon, the longest-serving chief of the Liidlii Kue First Nation, was fondly remembered at a funeral service. He was Fort Simpson's leader from 1955 through 1974 and a founding member of the Indian Brotherhood, which later became the Dene Nation. Jim Antoine, also a former chief, recalled Cazon as "fearless and very charismatic." Cabins posted, residents outraged Some Deh Cho residents, including Grand Chief Herb Norwegian, were outraged when they found notices from the Department of Indian Affairs on their cabins. They were instructed to report to DIAND officials to identify themselves and ensure they have a valid lease, which carries a $150 annual fee. DIAND's Brenda Becker said besides enforcing existing legislation, her department was concerned about environmental practices on the land and also wanted to compile information in case of forest fires. Rationing fears Chiefs in communities neighbouring Fort Simpson were bracing for possible fall-out from greater quantities of alcohol flowing into their communities. Daily rationing limits were on the verge of practically doubling at liquor outlets in Fort Simpson. "You'll have double trouble," Chief Tim Lennie warned from Wrigley, a community of 150 people.
SeptemberHer excellency does quick Queen's wave It was a visit of only 24 hours, but Governor General Adrienne Clarkson made a grand impression in Fort Providence. She attended a community feast, witnessed cultural events, paddled a canoe and was taken to the healing lodge, where a youth cultural camp was taking place. She told some young men there that she saw them as trying to recapture the integrity and value of a Dene civilization that existed prior to Western contact. The fact that the young men were striving to carry on tradition is proof that their past is very important, Clarkson said. Pipeline legal action Seeking greater representation, Dehcho First Nations went to court to halt a panel created to oversee the environmental assessment for a Mackenzie Valley natural gas pipeline. Grand Chief Herb Norwegian said all means of negotiation for two Deh Cho seats on the seven-member panel had been exhausted. Roland Semjanovs, communications officer with the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board, said the board was working within existing legislation, which prohibits land claimants in unsettled areas from making direct appointments to the panel. Low water at Liard The Liard River at the Fort Simpson ferry crossing was about 0.3 metres lower than the same time last year, according to Gerald Perron, superintendent of transportation for the Deh Cho. Roger Pilling, hydrometric supervisor with Water Survey of Canada in Fort Simpson, reported that water levels in the Mackenzie River upstream from Fort Simpson are 75 per cent of normal. Great Slave Lake, which feeds the Mackenzie, is approximately 0.25 metres below average levels, he added. Low water levels were also evident in most rivers and creeks throughout the Deh Cho. Chief jailed for assault, threats Accused of four crimes, Peter Marcellais resigned as chief of the Nahanni Butte Dene Band. Marcellais, 44, was held in custody in a Hay River jail after being charged with assault, uttering threats, unlawful confinement and improper storage of a firearm following a Sept. 3 incident. He was convicted and received a three-month sentence. No court over cabins Deh Cho cabin owners who failed to report to federal officials were not going to be taken to court, according to a federal spokesperson. Annette Hopkins, director of operations with Indian Affairs in Yellowknife, said her department is neither planning to prosecute nor demolish any structures. Indian Affairs was trying to identify cabin owners and enforce compliance with land lease legislation. Hopkins said the department was still seeking to meet with the Dehcho First Nations over the issue. Grizzly incident Two tourists fought off a grizzly bear in Nahanni National Park Reserve on Sept. 9. The middle-aged couple shouted at the bear and used paddles and rocks to scare it off. The man sustained cuts and puncture wounds to his hand, arm and back. He was medevaced for medical care and survived. The woman suffered no injuries. It was the first known bear attack in Nahanni National Park Reserve since it was established in 1972.
OctoberChief Moses leads the way David Moses was elected chief of the Pehdzeh Ki First Nation in Wrigley. He received 20 votes in the Sept. 30 election compared to nine for Billy Bertrand, six for George Moses and five for Sharon Pellissey. Moses, 45, said he planned to consult band members on ideas to improve their lives. He also spoke of job opportunities through preliminary pipeline work and the need to have a nurse in the community. Elected to band council were Doris Pellissey-Bruneau, Darcy Moses, Mike Canadien, George Williams, Raymond Pellissey, Lawrence Nayally, Leo Moses and Albert Moses. New band office To try to keep business separate from politics, a new band office -- at an estimated cost of $800,000 -- was to be constructed in Fort Liard. Band manager Tammy Neal said some community members, particularly elders, feel more welcome in a separate band office. "They didn't feel comfortable going (to the Beaver Enterprises building) because it was too busy and too business-oriented," she said. Down one cop RCMP Inspector Greg Morrow confirmed the persistent rumour that the Fort Simpson detachment was being reduced from seven officers to six. Residents vowed to fight the cut. Morrow explained that the RCMP's formula, based on crime statistics from the past five years, indicated that Fort Simpson, Wrigley and Jean Marie River only require a total of five police officers. The Mounties' senior staff decided to remove only one position instead of two, he told village council and close to 20 unhappy community members at an afternoon meeting.
NovemberFritzen is NWT's Idol Fawn Fritzen of Fort Liard was named the winner of the North of 60 Idol singing competition. Sponsored by the Yellowknife Legion, the judges of the event awarded the title to Fritzen, along with a trip for two to Disneyland and a number of other prizes. Hay River's Mackenzie Pope placed second. Housing fix-up The NWT Housing Corporation announced it was setting aside $900,000 to deal with Fort Liard's housing problems. Several of the 20 social housing units are plagued by mould and in a state of disrepair. A couple are uninhabitable. Work on those houses will be completed by November 2005, said Jeff Anderson, chief financial officer with the Housing Corporation. Metis funding suit Having repeatedly been denied core funding by Ottawa, Metis Local 57 in Fort Providence and Metis Local 52 in Fort Simpson decided to press ahead with a judicial review in the Federal Court of Canada. Federal policy recognizes some aboriginal communities as "bands," which allows them to access various government funding and programs. Metis organizations are not classified as "bands," however. "I want to see us being treated fairly and that's not the case right now," said Albert Lafferty, president of the Fort Providence Metis council. Pipeline differences continue Keyna Norwegian, named president of the newly formed Dehgah Alliance Society -- formerly the Pipeline Working Group -- said the Deh Cho's pipeline corridor communities had to distance themselves from Dehcho First Nations' court case against the federal government in order to negotiate access and benefits agreements with industry. But Grand Chief Herb Norwegian cautioned that formation of a separate society could further fracture politics in the region as other communities were being denied equal roles.
DecemberWork all 10 per cent The Deh Cho region experienced 10.1 per cent growth in jobs since 1999, according to a report by the territorial Department of Economic Development. Based on the 2004 labour force survey, the Deh Cho added 126 net jobs over the five-year period, climbing from 1,252 to 1,378 positions. Adversarial tone from feds In internal correspondence leaked to the media, a federal government lawyer recommended that Deh Cho self-government negotiations cease unless the Dehcho First Nations back away from a demand for a veto over the proposed Mackenzie Valley pipeline. Chris Reid, legal counsel for the DFN, responded that Ottawa has rejected other Deh Cho options. He added that the DFN is only seeking equality with Canada in deciding how its lands are used. Pipeline worries continue Representatives from pipeline regulatory panels came to Fort Simpson to introduce themselves and their roles, but heard a litany of pipeline-related concerns from residents. Some community members voiced misgivings over social impacts, others over a lack of economic development and business opportunities. There were also complaints about the overwhelming volume of information pertaining to the pipeline's regulatory applications. The panel representatives encouraged residents to bring those concerns to public hearings in 2005. Reluctant mayoral winner Despite announcing his desire to withdraw from the municipal election, Michael Vandell was elected mayor of Fort Providence. He was prevented from pulling out of the race because he missed the 48-hour withdrawal period under territorial legislation. What's more amazing is that despite Vandell telling voters not to vote for him, they did anyway. He quickly resigned from office, forcing a by-election. Deh Cho Bridge approval A proposed bridge over the Mackenzie River at Fort Providence received approval from the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board (MVEIRB). It stated that the project would not likely cause significant impacts on the environment. Permits and licences still couldn't be obtained until the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada endorsed the $55 million project, which will be owned and operated by the Dene and Metis of Fort Providence. Camp jobs up by 50 Up to 50 positions were available through Travers Ltd., an Alberta-based camps and catering company, that brought a job fair to Fort Simpson, Jean Marie River, Fort Providence and the Hay River Reserve. Cooks, cook's helpers, kitchen helpers, general help, camp attendants and maintenance staff were all being sought. Some of the work was to be based in Cameron Hills, southwest of Kakisa; the remainder in northern Alberta and northern B.C.
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