---

Stephen Kakfwi

Dene leader guides Western Arctic to new

constitutional existence

Even though Stephen Kakfwi knew some time ago that he would be receiving a National Aboriginal Achievement Award for public service, the magnitude of it didn't hit him until he started meeting all the different recipients.

"It brings out Aboriginal people from every aspect of life, not just the political circle. I've hob-nobbed with senators, ambassadors, ministers almost all my life," he said. "What I found was I was meeting poets, authors of books, doctors who were pioneers in their fields that were Aboriginal people. That's what really humbled me. That's what I enjoyed the most, meeting the different people. It's not that I only deal, on an everyday basis, I meet people from all aspects of life, but I've never known on the national level the kind of achievement Aboriginal people have made. This kind of event brings out the best of the best."

Kakfwi, the current minister of resources, wildlife and economic development, as well as minister responsible for national constitutional affairs, receiving this award is a boost for all Aboriginal communities in Canada.

"I think it's one of the most positive developments that has occurred because [it's] giving recognition and honoring people from our communities," he said. It's "pulling the First Nations together across this country because it's non-political."

Kakfwi, who was born in the North, was drawn into the political arena because of the proposed MacKenzie Valley pipeline, that would have been the largest pipeline of its kind ever constructed. The effect on the North, its environment and the people living there would have been overwhelming.

In the face of this challenge, Kakfwi organized the Dene Nation's presentations to the Berger Inquiry, which was examining the potential effects of this pipeline. The inquiry concluded that there should be a 10-year moratorium on the pipeline's construction so that Aboriginal land claims, self-government and other issues could be resolved.

Kakfwi then successfully ran for the presidency of the Dene Nation and, under his leadership, laid the historic groundwork for the Dene-Métis comprehensive claims negotiations.

"I've done stuff at the national and international level, but also at the community level - with housing, with counseling to deal with alcohol problems," he said. "I operate at every different level that I can."

Part of his international work involved lobbying Pope John Paul II to return to the Northwest Territories after an earlier visit was prevented by bad weather.

This award, however, means more than just recognition from Aboriginal people in Canada for his work in public service.

These awards are "creating incredible pride. We're bringing out the best in ourselves that we never knew," he said. "Meeting Aboriginal judges, poets, film makers and actors, musicians - it's just overwhelming. This is what all of us have been trying to get.

"We long for the day that people at the community level are becoming lawyers, judges, playwrights, authors," he continued. "The very role models are there but we didn't see them before. It never occurred to us to look at the national level and they're world class."

These are Aboriginal role models who can teach all people the possible careers and life adventures available to them.

"Look at this woman who's an author who practically taught herself," said Kakfwi. "Look at this doctor who's pioneered in the world of kidney transplants and other incredible achievements. Look at Graham Greene, Rita Joe and Gil Cardinal. These are people I can bring home and show to my schools. This is possible. It's happened already. There's an immediate impact beyond just the awards."

Despite his past achievements, Kakfwi hasn't stopped looking towards the future, especially with the creation of the new territory in the western arctic that will be created after Nunavut in 1999.

"The one thing I want to finish is to see a new constitution for the people of the western territory is done in the next two years," he said. "To see a marriage between public government and Aboriginal government so we don't have separate systems.

"We need a territorial government that allows for guaranteed representation for Aboriginal people that also embraces a regional and community Aboriginal government," he continued. "We have the chance to do that here. A partnership type of government that recognizes each First Nation. We're trying to do that in the next couple of years."