Dene referendum postponed to Sept. 15

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Assumption, Alta.

The Dene Tha' referendum on the leadership of Chief Harry Chonkolay has again been postponed.

Scheduled for Sept.. 7, the referendum was abruptly cancelled when electoral officer Roy Meneen, from the Tall Cree Band, failed to show up, said an Assumption band office worker, who refused to give his name.

"People were showing up to vote and there was nobody there," he said, admitting it was very frustrating.

The band council held an emergency meeting in the morning and decided to reschedule the referendum to Sept.. 15. Polls will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Members will be asked a simple question: whether they want a new chief or whether they want the 81 year old Chonkolay, who has been chief since 1938.

The worker believes there is about 1,000 eligible voters on the three reserves that comprise the Dene band: Bushe River, Assumption and Meander River.

Band councillor Warren Daneis, who is co-ordinating the referendum was unavailable for comment.

The referendum had been originally scheduled for Aug. 3, but was postponed after the tragic deaths of two band members.

Chonkolay, the recipient of the Order of Canada, was elected as chief for life.