Referendum delayed

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Once again the Dene Tha referendum on the leadership of 81 year old Chief Harry Chonkolay has been cancelled.

Without an electoral officer appointed, the referendum scheduled for Sept. 15, was cancelled.

Rather than reschedule the referendum, Warren Daniels, coordinator of the referendum, plans to organize a general meeting involving the three communities, so band members can decide what

direction they would like to take.

The referendum stemmed from two days of heated discussion at the Dene Tha Cultural Gathering last July, hen the chiefs leadership came under attack by some band members.

The referendum was originally scheduled for Aug. 3 but has been cancelled and rescheduled several times.

Not all band council members were in agreement with the referendum, and apparently most band members at Bushe River and Meander River support the chief.

Chief Chonkolay is one of the longest serving chiefs in Canada, having been elected in 1941.

Last year, the government of Alberta recognized his contribution to his people and presented him with the Alberta Achievement Award.

Earlier this year Chonkolay was appointed to the Order of Canada.

There are approximately 1600 band members in the Dene Tha band residing on three reserves.