No Last Frontier

Publisher:  Project North, Canada
Year Published:  1977
Pages:  44pp   Resource Type:  Article
Cx Number:  CX443

This booklet was published by the World Council of Churches as part of a series of RISK issues dealing with the struggles of aboriginal peoples. The present issue, a joint venture between RISK and the WCC Programme to Combat Racism, draws attention to the Dene of the Northwest Territories. The struggle of the Dene to control their destiny involves questions of energy policies for North America, racial justice, development, the role of transnational corporations, land and water rights and human rights.

Abstract: 
This booklet was published by the World Council of Churches as part of a series of RISK issues dealing with the struggles of aboriginal peoples. The present issue, a joint venture between RISK and the WCC Programme to Combat Racism, draws attention to the Dene of the Northwest Territories. The struggle of the Dene to control their destiny involves questions of energy policies for North America, racial justice, development, the role of transnational corporations, land and water rights and human rights. "The Dene want the world to know what their opinions and feelings are in the middle of this - for us and for them - dangerous situation," says Baldwin Sjollema of the Programme to Combat Racism.

NO LAST FRONTIER uses the frontier-homeland dichotomy raised by Berger to emphasize the Dene struggle for liberation. The booklet begins by describing the history of colonialism in the MacKenzie Valley and the efforts of the Dene to decolonize themselves. Complete texts of the Dene Declaration and the Proposed Agreement-in-Principle (October 1976) are included. The Dene claim that they have a legal right to self-determination and that they should be allowed to negotiate fairly with the Canadian government.

The booklet also discusses the support shown by national and international agencies. The involvement of Candian churches, espeically through the activities of Project North, is given some attention. Supportive statements from other national and international organizations are also noted. The booklet concludes with a comprehensive bibliography on this crucial topic.