The Dene Nation is actively engaged in revising its constitution, a process initiated prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective is to modernize the document to better reflect the current challenges and governance structures faced by the Dene First Nations.
At the recent 55th Dene National Assembly held in Fort Good Hope, a resolution was passed to commence the revision of the constitution. Tyler Dempsey, the Chief of Staff at Dene Nation, emphasized the importance of aligning priorities with community and regional needs during a presentation on the proposed approach to updating the constitution.
The resolution highlights a lack of consultation on this matter for over three years leading up to the tenure of the current Dene National Chief, George Mackenzie. Officials from the Dene Nation in the Northwest Territories noted significant turnover among chiefs in recent years, underscoring the need for transparency and empowerment in the revision process.
The discussion at the assembly focused on ensuring the constitution aligns with self-governance principles. Danny Gaudet, the Chief of the Délı̨nÄ™ Got’ınÄ™ Government, expressed that the Dene Nation constitution has remained largely unchanged for decades, lacking provisions for accommodating self-governance structures.
While some leaders advocate for updating the constitution to advocate for all Dene First Nations, others like Behchokǫ̀ Chief Bertha Rabesca Zoe, representing the Tłı̨chǫ government, expressed disinterest in participating in the renewal efforts. Despite this, she emphasized openness to discussions on unity among the First Nations in the region.
The current constitution traces its roots back to the Dene Declaration of 1975 and has undergone minimal changes since its inception. A constitutional reform commission began the revision process in 2019 but was impeded by the COVID-19 pandemic. Phil Moon Sun, the CEO of Dene Nation, acknowledged the slowdown caused by the pandemic at the recent assembly.
Looking ahead, Chief of Staff Tyler Dempsey outlined an eight-step plan to update the constitution, with no set timeline yet for completion. The goal is to present final recommendations to the Dene National Assembly once the revision process is finalized.
