Dene Nation welcomes member from Alberta

The Dene Nation has grown by one with the inclusion of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation of Fort Chipewyan, Alta.

Dene National Chief Bill Erasmus said the addition is in keeping with what was once before. He said Athabasca Chipewyan was a part of the Dene Nation before borders were drawn in 1905 dividing Alberta and the Northwest Territories. He also noted that many members of the Athabasca Chipewyan have family in the N.W.T. and they are all part of Treaty 8.

“We’ll have a lot stronger voice once we come together and unify ourselves as one voice,” said Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation Chief Allan Adam.

Issues that need a strong voice include water quality and quantity and woodland caribou habitat.

“The water comes from the south and we’re downstream from the development. In the early days it was pulp mills. Now it’s tar sands,” said Erasmus.

The Athabasca Chipewyan approached the Dene National Assembly last year about membership.

“We’re Dene,” said Adam of the request. “We don’t have a lot of voice in the area because we’re in Alberta, but being part of the voice of the Dene Nation only increases our potential to be stronger allies together.”

Athabasca Chipewyan’s request for membership was debated at the Dene Nation’s annual general meeting held in Fort Providence in July. Among the issues discussed was ongoing land negotiations the Dene are having with the federal government.

Erasmus said the Dene Nation consists of regions and Athabasca Chipewyan would have fallen within the Akaitcho region. However, the decision was made for the Athabasca Chipewyan not to be part of any particular region, although Erasmus expects neighboring regions to invite Athabasca Chipewyan to their meetings.

“We’ve come on as an independent First Nation. We won’t be joining in their negotiations,” said Adam.

As an independent member of the Dene Nation, the Athabasca Chipewyan have all the same rights and privileges as other member nations.

Once that distinction was made, chiefs and representatives voted unanimously to approve Athabasca Chipewyan’s membership.

“We bring a lot of knowledge with us; on how we deal with the government, on how we force the government to the table when we have to deal with issues,” said Adam.

Athabasca Chipewyan recently experienced success when the federal court ordered Environment Canada to take action to protect the woodland caribou. Athabasca Chipewyan had joined with two other Alberta First Nations in litigation. The action was supported by the Dene Nation.

Also on the table for Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation is a battle with the provincial government over the Lower Athabasca Regional Plan.

“We’re ready to launch litigation and all of Treaty 8 in Alberta has said they will join us in litigation,” said Adam.
With the issues facing First Nations, Erasmus sees the inclusion of the Athabasca Chipewyan with the Dene Nation as coming at the right time.

“It strengthens us as individuals, as family, as communities, as a nation. The more numbers you have, the stronger you are, more of a voice you have. This brings us together as a nation,” said Erasmus.