Dene Tha' band wrestle over future

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The Dene Tha' Indian band has postponed a referendum on the leadership of Chief Harry Chonkolay after the recent deaths of two band members.

The referendum had been scheduled for Aug. 3 but has now been postponed to Sept. 7, said a band administration worker, who declined to give his name.

The decision was made at the Aug. 10 band council meeting.

Tragedy struck Aug. 6 when 53 year old David Dahdona of Assumption was killed in a single vehicle rolling accident, seven and a half km west of High Level.

The vehicle, which was driven by his wife Mary Louise, entered the ditch, crossed the road and flipped, said Const. Dwayne Jennings of the High Level RCMP.

Four days before, well-known trapper Norman Mercredi, 67, was found dead. He apparently died of natural causes, according to Assumption medical examiner Dr. Ron Spice.

"He was fairly well known and respected in the area," said Spice.

"David (Dahdona) was very well respected as well."

Band members didn't want to hold the referendum at the same time as wakes were going on, said band councillor Warren Daneis.

Some members feel it's time for the 81 year old Chonkolay to step aside to make way for a younger leader in step with today's world.

But Indian Affairs officials say that under tribal custom, Chonkolay can remain chief until he dies or resigns.

Not all band council members want a referendum, Daneis noted.

Some at Bushe River and Meander River in particular object to having a referendum.

There are 1,400 people in the band, which includes reserves at Assumption, Meander River and Bushe River. The majority live at Assumption.

Daneis lives at Assumption but Chonkolay lives at High Level west of Bushe River.

"Regardless, the majority of voters are from Assumption. We will still get a majority if only Assumption votes. Some band members from Bushe said they'll come out here to vote," said

Daneis.

Daneis, 40, said he has no desire to succeed Chonkolay as chief. "That's the last thing I want to be."

Chonkolay's leadership has been an issue for some time with the Dene Tha', he said.

"Even the previous council questioned his position but they just never followed up on it."

Daneis said if the chief doesn't step down, the only way to vote him out is through a referendum.

"Until we resolve this problem, there'll always be dissension. We have to resolve this problem or we'll never get ahead.

"We're a fairly new council and the topic of the chief's position has been pretty well the main issue. There are so many other things we have to be concerned about."

Daneis said the council has yet to discuss whether Chonkolay should be given a pension.

Chonkolay, who was named chief of the band for life, said in an earlier interview he couldn't afford to step down as chief.

At a minimum he wants his $36,000 annual salary matched by a pension from the band.

"I think some of them want to compensate him for the amount he's asking," said Daneis, who has served on council for seven months.