Deline set to launch historic self-government, 20 years in the making - Action News
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NorthIn Depth

Deline set to launch historic self-government, 20 years in the making

Decades in the making and prophecized nearly a century ago the people of Deline, N.W.T., are preparing to sign a historic community self-government agreement, extending to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous residents.

'I want my laws to be who I am. We are different. That's what's kept us alive for thousands of years'

'All living human beings are equal, regardless of where they come from,' says Deline's Morris Neyelle. 'Who they are, what colour they are, don't look at it that way.' (Kate Kyle/CBC)

Nearly one hundred years ago, the Great Bear Lake community ofDeline, Northwest Territories, was home to one of the region's most celebrated prophets.

LouieAyahpassed away in 1940, but his words still reverberate around the community of about500 people, and are still remembered by many, including Morris Neyelle.
Deline, N.W.T., is a community in the territory's Sahtu region, with a population of about 500 people. (Google Maps)

"'You will get powers,' he said.And he raised his hand over his head as high as he could reach up," says Neyelle.

"He said: 'that's how far you will rise.'People from thesurrounding community and the rest of the world will look at you, and they will come."

Described as a "map to the future" by Neyelle, Ayah's wordshave indirectly led to September 1, 2016: the day that Deline will become the Northwest Territories' first self-governed community and the first self-governed community in Canada to include both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.

Drummers perform at the former home of prophet Louis Ayah, pictured in the background. Though he passed away in 1940, Ayah is still revered for his teachings in Deline. (Kate Kyle/CBC)

'Who they are, what colour they are, don't look at it that way'

The newly elected DelineGot'ine Governmentis the result of over a decadeof negotiations between the local DelineFirst Nation and Deline Land Corporation, the Government of the Northwest Territories, and the federal government.

Though the community is largely made up of Denemembers of the Deline First Nation, all residents who live in the community members of the First Nation or notwill fall under the jurisdiction of the new government. They'll receive social programs and services,and will be able to participate in and vote in elections, though some positions, such as chief, will be reserved for First Nation members.

Neyelle, himself an elected councillor, says the unique approach to Indigenous self-government is reflected in the community's teachings.

"All living human beings are equal, regardless of where they come from," he said. "Who they are, what colour they are, don't look at it that way."

Those words ring true to Greg Wasserman, who has lived in Deline since 1981. On Thursday, Wasserman will become one of the first non-Indigenous people in Canada to live under Indigenous community self government.

"All I care about is they have the right to look after what they need," he said. "Because sometimes, the federal government... they don't know what the community really needs."
The sun sets over the community of Deline. The Dene community will become the first in the Northwest Territories to be self-governed on September 1. (submitted by Daniel Ayha-Baton)

Over 20 years in the making

Deline has been working towards self-government since 1995two decades that chief negotiator Danny Gaudet says were not without complications. Band members were not all in agreement to pursue publicself-government, and many models, including those where only First Nations members would fall under the new government, were considered.

But, says Gaudet, the decision was ultimately reachedbased on the elders' predictions.
Deline community members celebrate with Canadian Senators in the Senate foyer after their self-government agreement is passed in 2015. (Claude Carignan/Twitter)

"Elders believe people are going to come North for resources," he said. "If we develop a government only for ourselves, we will be overpopulated and overtaken. Their belief is that we need to govern not only ourselves, but anyone who lives among us."

Negotiations with territorial and federal governments culminated in June of 2015, when Deline's self-government act was passed in the Canadian Senate. Final approval led to celebrations, including a drum dance in the Senate foyer.

But the community's work wasn't done.

Once the agreement is signed on September 1, Deline will have jurisdiction over community affairs and local services, which include education, health services, social housing, and land use planning, among others.

The new government won't be set to take over all these portfolios immediately, instead progressively assuming more responsibility as it builds capacity and infrastructure.

"We've got a lot of work ahead of us," said Gaudet, who pointed out some priorities of the new government, including strengthening the education system (currently, most Deline students can't take enough courses to qualify to get into colleges), and simplifying adoption processes.
Deline's chief negotiator Danny Gaudet hugs a community member after the results of the community's self-government vote, held in 2014, were announced. (courtesy of Roxane Poulin)

Over time, Gaudet explained, the Deline Got'ine government will develop rules, programs and services for the community, and the territorial and federal governments will help work to reach those goals.

"They moved us to a dependence state, and now you're going to move us out of it," he said."You [will]talk to them like you are talking to another premier, or to another province. The relationship with Deline has to change. You can't force upon them what they don't want."

'We're going to be watching'

Deline's grand experiment will be watched closely by Indigenous communities across Canada, including Colville Lake, Northwest Territories, which hopes to be self-governing within four years.

"They kind of blaze the trail for us," said Wilfred Kochon, the chief of Colville Lake. "We always believe First Nations can do anything they put their mind to.

"We are going to be looking at their agreements and powers. If it suits us, we're going to grab it."

For now, though, Deline stands alone, reflecting the words of Louis Ayahin their words, their action, and, finally, their government.

"I want my laws to be who I am," said Neyelle. "To be a Dene person from here.

"We are different. That is what kept us alive for thousands of years."

Deline sits on the shore of Great Bear Lake. 'I can't say how well it's going to work for the community,' says Gaudet of self-government. 'It's the beginning.' (Kate Kyle/CBC)