Tlicho chiefs to reveal reasons for leadership dissent

Tlicho chiefs demanding Grand Chief George Mackenzie's resignation said they will reveal their reasons on Thursday afternoon, as a special assembly called to resolve the dispute had a rocky start.

About 170 elders, councillors and other citizens from across the Tlicho region were flown to Behchoko Wednesday to discuss what to do about the internal dispute between Mackenzie and three of the Tlicho's four chiefs.

Earlier this month, Behchoko Chief Leon Lafferty, Whati Chief Charlie Nitsiza and Gameti Chief Henry Gon sent a letter to Mackenzie demanding he step down, claiming they have lost confidence in his leadership. Wekweeti Chief Charlie Football did not sign the letter.

But shortly after Wednesday's assembly began at about 3 p.m. MT, Lafferty, Nitsiza and Gon left the hall, a group of Mackenzie's supporters jeering them as they left.

Behchoko Coun. Mabel Enronchi had asked the dissenting chiefs why they wanted Mackenzie to quit, and said they did not have the authority, as chiefs, to call for the grand chief's resignation.

"They never asked the public's opinion, they never had any consultation with the councillors from the community," Enronchi said.

When Lafferty attempted to address the assembly, chairman Alphonse Nitsiza refused to allow him to speak, saying any questions people had would have to wait until the end of the meeting after everyone who has something to say had spoken.

Lafferty called the move an ambush, and said he plans to reveal Thursday afternoon why he and the other chiefs want Mackenzie to quit.

Mackenzie has said he intends to serve the remaining two years of his four-year term. He said he would not speak to the media about the matter until after the assembly has spoken.

The Tlicho aboriginal government itself is only two years old, as its self-government agreement with Ottawa took effect in 2005. Mackenzie was elected as the Tlicho's first grand chief that year.

In June, the young government had won a Public Service Award from the United Nations for its innovative approach to delivering education, health and social services programs.