Dene Nation encouraged to run in N.W.T. election

The Dene Nation is suggesting its membersrun in the ongoing election in the Northwest Territories for the first time, in an effort to alter what it considers an unfair distribution of resources.

"Were encouraging people who are the same minds as our leadership, the same minds as our people to come forward so that we can have people there that represent our views" said National Chief Bill Erasmus.

Dene leaders say most of the N.W.T.s power and money from resources should go to Aboriginal groups and not the territorial government.

In the past Erasmus has said the government of the N.W.T. is not the government of the Dene.

Now Erasmus is telling his constituents to get involved, primarily to oppose anagreement-in-principalsigned between the federal and N.W.T. governments in January.

He wants to see MLAs elected on Oct. 3 who will quash the controversial deal that puts the territory on track to gain control of Crown lands and resources.

Several First Nations groupsoppose the agreement saying it does not provide them with a large enough share of resource royalties. Some also fear their own land claim and self-government negotiations may be jeopardized.

"Its certainly not a good agreement," Erasmus said. "Most people in the North, I believe, are not in support of it and if it means starting over, were OK with that."

'Maybe we shouldn't vote'

Not all Dene leaders seem to agree that their people should get involved.

In July, Chief Roy Fabien from Hay River told the Dene Assembly staying away from the election is the strongest message.

"Maybe we shouldnt vote," he said. "Maybe we shouldnt even nominate Dene people to run because [the territorial government] is mismanaging us."

The campaign period began on Monday but nomination papers can be filed as late as 2 p.m. on Friday.