Dene Nation against N.W.T.'s bid for Northland Utilities contract

The Dene Nation is accusing the Government of the Northwest Territories of trying to eliminate an aboriginally-owned business by bidding on Hay River's power distribution contract.

Last week Hay River said it would be opening up its electricity market to competition. Northland Utilities has distributed electricity in Hay River since 1951.

In March, Denendeh Investments, the business arm of Dene communities in the Northwest Territories, signed a memorandum of understanding to up its share in Northland Utilities to 50 per cent, from 14 per cent.

Michael Miltenberger, the Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation, has said the power corporation would put in a bid on the contract.

Dene National Chief Bill Erasmus says the government should be finding ways to work with the Dene people and its businesses.

"Knowing that the territorial government talks about working closely with our people and supporting our businesses, this is very difficult for people to accept," he said.

Miltenberger said there's no plan to push Northland out of the other six communities it serves in the Northwest Territories.