Dene National Chief Bill Erasmus is willing to talk.
Following Premier Bob McLeod’s statement, putting the NWT on Red Alert, Erasmus says he’s willing to have a full debate on where the North stands, and where it could be going.
“Dene programs and services money from the federal government goes directly to the Government of the Northwest Territories, which is more than half of their total budget,” said Erasmus. “This funding needs to come directly to the Dene, as it is in the south, we need to make our own decisions, not the GNWT.”
Erasmus added that the Dene Nation needs to be more self-governed.
“The Dene need to be a growing part in the economy. It’s rated high as being one of the most pressing issues for the Dene Nation. We are the only First Nation not governing ourselves in Canada, and we are forced to be part of a public
government, — we need Dene government.”
