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New KFN band manager working out well

A change in the organizational structure of K'atlodeeche First Nation (KFN) at the beginning of this year has added a new position to the management of the band.

Catherine Heron is now the band manager, a position that didn't previously exist.

Catherine Heron, left, is the band manager for K'atlodeeche First Nation. That is a new position that has allowed Peter Groenen, the chief executive officer, to concentrate on other duties. Paul Bickford/NNSL photo

Heron is a KFN member who was raised in Fort Smith.

Before returning the North to work with KFN, she lived for over two decades in Alberta, after moving south for education.

Heron, who worked as a paralegal for 27 years and ran her own cleaning business in Edmonton, said she came back especially for the KFN role.

"The position seemed to be a little bit more on the challenging side, and it was something that I was looking for with more of a challenge," she said.

Plus, she was looking for an opportunity to work with and help Aboriginal groups.

"And I thought why not give it a try to see if that is really what I want to do to give back to the community, even though I've been away for so long," she said.

Plus, being a member of KFN but not having grown up on the Hay River Reserve places her in an impartial position with other band members, which she believes is a good thing.

"I can make my decisions based on what I see is for the benefit of the community," she said.

Heron started working as band manager on Jan. 2.

In her role, she is responsible for much of the day-to-day operations of KFN, including running various programs and co-ordinating events to promote a healthier lifestyle.

The new structure allows Peter Groenen, KFN's chief executive officer, to concentrate on other things.

"It's much more complex than a regular community government because we have corporations and we have negotiations for settlements under the treaty and all those other things," he said. "So we're trying to kind of bunch up the community operations under a division which Catherine is leading as the band manager."

Groenen added the new arrangement is working well and probably better than expected, and has freed up his time to do other things.

"Catherine is our hero," he said.

Groenen noted services to the community have also been positively impacted.

"I think it's improving and it will improve, absolutely," he said.

One of Groenen's roles is to train Heron as band manager for two years, as she is employed with funding from the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA).

She is also taking classroom and online training from MACA's School of Community Government.

After the two years of training, KFN itself will pay for the position.

Heron has signed on with KFN for a total of four years.