Deninu Kue First Nation wants Fort Resolution hamlet to stop serving beer at dances

The chief of the DeninuKue First Nation wants the Hamlet of Fort Resolution to stop holding dances where alcohol is served aftera fight broke out at a dance on New Year's Eve.

Louis Balsilliesays the First Nation has opposed such dances in the past, and that the recent incident only reinforcesitsposition.

"There's people going out for treatment in the community," he said. "People are drinking for days on end after the wet dance is over.

"I can't stop people from drinking but I can try and stop these events."

In a letter, hecalled on the hamlet to stop holding wet dances.

"Asagoverning body in Fort Resolution, we are demanding that DKFN is asked to provide approval for future functions,"the letter says.

Fort Resolution RCMP said a fight broke out at the end of the New Year's Evedance. Nine people were taken into custody.

The RCMP said there were 24 incidents in the community that night, all alcohol-related.

Fort Resolution doesn't have a liquor storebut there are no restrictions on alcohol possession in the community andpeople can apply for liquor licences for events.

The hamlet holds about two wet dances a yearwhere beer is served.

Mayor Gary Bailey said he agrees some community members struggle with alcohol but said he personally doesn't have a problem with serving beer at hamlet dances.

"Do you shut down dances because of a few bad applesor do you deal with the bad apples and try and have your community grow together, get along and dance and have a great time together?" he said.

"It's a reality that alcohol is legal. People who can't handle itshouldn't drink."

Bailey said if a petition with more than half the community's supportin favour of prohibiting wet dances is submitted to council,he wouldgladly shut them down.