The following statements are from the nominees for the first Dene Gha Gok’e rehkw’i (DGGR or Beneficiaries Board) members of the Deline Got’ine Government.
The nominees for the four remaining positions are:
- Gina Dolphus (resident)
- Danny Gaudet (resident)
- Leonard Kenny (resident)
- Fibbie Tatti (non-resident)
- Judi Tutcho (non-resident)
- Leanne Graydon (resident)
Beneficiaries of Deline are encouraged to provide confidential comments on the nominees before 5:00 p.m. on July 29.
Gina Dolphus (resident)
How the Nominee’s education, and/or knowledge and experience benefit the DGGR:
I have been in leadership since 1983. Over the years I have been Vice-President of Deline Land Corporation. I have been the President since 2011 and served 5 years as President for the Deline Land Corporation. I know the structure of the Deline Land Corporation, and also the mandate of the President and Board of Directors. I have been to all meetings of the Executive, and the AGMs of the organization. In the past, I have provided leadership to companies at the forefront of industry. I have developed a strategic plan with the Board of Directors for the Deline Land Corporation to advance the company mission and objectives. My role was to oversee company operations to ensure production quality, service, or resources. I have worked on operation procedures and policy. I feel I have the knowledge and experience to benefit the DGGR.
How the Nominee’s participation on the DGGR will contribute to its success:
I will support the DGGR for success and for the future. I would help in research and work on a new strategy or the existing one and start implementing. I will work with the new government on old and new policy for the DGGR. I will work on communication and public relations with the Board of Directors and the community. I will work as a team member and be committed to helping others that are new to the DGGR. I understand budgets and finances of the organization and working with other organizations. I am also willing to travel and work in the evenings and on weekends.
Danny Gaudet (resident)
With my education, experience and contacts with the GNWT, CANADA, INDUSTRY and PRIVATE SECTOR, I believe that through Economic Development we can work towards economic self-sufficiency. I have strong leadership skills that I feel can benefit the DKK financially and economically. I have excellent personality skills to bring to the DKK that may have a positive impact for the DKK. I have an excellent understanding of how Government and private sector operates which will bring a wide range of opportunities to the DKK.
Leonard Kenny (resident)
As you can see by my education and work experience I would benefit the DGGR by providing direction and advice for the benefit of all Deline beneficiaries and for the DGGR itself. I have a wide range of experience in economic development that can create a range of opportunities for the DGGR. I have a broad range of experience with oil, gas and mining industry. I sat on the Northwright Airways Board of Directors and the NWT Tourism board. I have been the ʔekw’ahtı̨défor the past five years and am able to provide leadership skills if required.
I feel by my experience and qualifications, I would be an excellent candidate to sit on the DGGR.
Fibbie Tatti (non-resident)
I have a Bachelor of Education Degree and a Masters Degree in Indigenous Language Revitalization. My thesis for my MA was on Sahtugotine spirituality based on stories from our Elders. I was raised by my grandfather and other Elders in Deline. I read and write our language fluently. I co-translated our Self-government Treaty from English into our Sahtuotine language.
I was involved in the efforts of our Elders to settle our land rights and our rights to self-government from the beginning. I recorded on maps and tapes the trails and the stories of our hunters and trappers as part of the Dene Nation’s Land Use and Occupancy Study in 1974-75. I served as translator for Chief George Kodakin, Joe Naedzo and other Elders and leaders from Deline and the Sahtu as they negotiated with Canada to establish the Dene and Metis land claim proess. I am currently project manager for the Deline Mapping through which I continue to learn about our land by working with our Elders to gather stories and legends and to document place names and travel routes in the Sahtu District.
The vision and the aspirations of our Elders are engrained in me and I will bring this experience and perspective to the deliberations of the DGGR as we endeavour to be good stewards of our land.
I have a wealth of experience in working with government and with Indigenous organizations. I worked with the GNWT Education for 23 years during which I led the development of NWT Dene Kede curriculum for kindergarten to grade 9, a ground breaking project that is used as a learning resource by several universities. I co-chaired the NWT Aboriginal language Task Force in 1985-86, which resulted in the recognition of Indigenous languages as Official Languages in the NWT – a first in Canada. I also served as the NWT Languages Commissioner for 4 years.
I also have considerable experience in developing and managing budgets, running an office and hiring and managing staff.
The task of the first DGGR is to establish a solid foundation upon which future members of the DGGR can build. I am committed to working in collaboration with members of the DGGR, the DKK, the Elders Council and the community to oversee the management of our business and financial assets in order to maximize benefits for today and to protect and grow those assets for future generations. If selected, I will always emphasize training and education for our beneficiaries so that individuals and families will benefit from our decisions. I will always work to ensure that the decisions we make will contribute to maintaining and developing our culture and language.
Judi Tutcho (non-resident)
I possess two Degrees; one in Education and the other one in Social Work. I also earned a diploma in Mental Health Education.
I have taught over 17 years in various communities in the NWT. The other 16 years I have worked in various positions within the GNWT. I am a former schoolteacher; school Principal and a Director within the GNWT. I am a trained counselor and held jobs with Healing Drum and Tree of Peace. I also worked with women shelters and men shelters in the area of addictions. I was a Director NWTHC for five years and worked in the Sahtu Regions. I am a former Languages Commissioner for the NWT. I also worked in a Law firm called Field Law as a paralegal on Indian Residential Applications and worked in the area of Probation. I am currently the Regional Manager for Income Support for the Sahtu Region. I sat on numerous boards across the NWT and did a massive school reviews for all high school in the NWT.
I bring to the to the DGGR board a vast and broad experiences that I have earned through my lived experiences. I worked at all level of governments and understand the process and procedures of most work that is presented to me. I have facilitated and presented in many meetings and conferences. I am very confident and competent in most of the work that I am asked to deliver. I work very well with all types of leadership and I believe I can be a positive asset to the DGGR board.
Leanne Graydon (resident)
I believe I am uniquely qualified for the role of Beneficiary Board, Economic Arm of the new Deline Gotine Government due to my education, language skills, knowledge, and experience. For over eleven years, I have worked for the Government of the Northwest Territories, primarily in the field of Economic and Community Development in the Sahtu Region and the North Slave Region (Yellowknife, Dettah, N’Dilo and the Tlicho Region). As the Manager of Trade & Investment, I work closely with all levels of government (Federal, GNWT, Land Corporation, Municipal and Bands), with businesses that range from small business ventures to large corporation, and with special interest groups such as other lending agencies. As a Regional Manager I am also involved in various committees and groups at the senior management level to provide insight and input on a wide variety of business development initiatives to help develop regional economies. In addition, my responsibilities include managing a loan portfolio of over 15 million dollars. As a result of my professional experience, I have a good understanding of the dynamics of operating a business in the North, the challenges and opportunities that we face.
I also have deep roots in the Sahtu. Growing up in Deline, speaking the Slavey language as my mother-tongue, having the opportunity to work with communities throughout the Sahtu in my role as Regional Manager, have all given me exceptional skills in communication and collaboration, as well as a deep respect for our culture and traditions taught to us by our Elders.
Right now is an exciting and crucial time for our People. We have a great opportunity to pave the path for future generations. I feel that with my background and my Bachelor of Commerce Degree which gives me a wealth of theoretical knowledge to supplement my experiential knowledge. I will be an asset to the Corporation in helping us move forward to what we want to achieve as a One People. As I have lived and breathed Economic Development this is a great opportunity for me to help my People seek economic self-reliance. I want to bring fresh ideas and opportunities to the Corporation, and to ensure there is transparency in the process. I will contribute by keeping the lines of communication open with all beneficiaries, as we are the reason the Government exists. Mahsi Cho!
