Chief James Marlowe of the Łutsel K’é Dene First Nation expressed disappointment with Northwest Territories Premier R.J. Simpson’s recent face-to-face apology for what the First Nation described as a forceful invasion of a cultural camp at Artillery Lake. The apology came after wildlife officers searched the camp in response to reports of illegal caribou hunting in a restricted zone. Marlowe had previously criticized Simpson’s apology in a statement, insisting on a direct apology to those affected.
During a community event, Premier Simpson issued a personal apology on behalf of the territorial government, expressing deep regret for the past and ongoing trauma experienced by the community. Marlowe appreciated the premier’s visit but hoped for concrete actions, such as increased funding for essential programs like substance abuse counseling.
Members of the community shared emotional accounts of the cultural camp incident, highlighting the lasting impact on individuals. Iris Catholique, manager of the Thaidene Nëné National Park Reserve, described the distressing scenes witnessed during the search, including children’s belongings being inspected and elders being treated disrespectfully.
The search warrant issued to officers was later invalidated by the N.W.T. Supreme Court. Catholique revealed that by the time meat samples seized by officers were returned, they had decayed significantly, undermining trust in the government. Community members present at the event called for compensation for the ordeal they endured.
An independent review of the officers’ actions following the incident is ongoing, with efforts to engage members of the Łutsel K’é Dene First Nation affected by the events. Premier Simpson pledged to prevent similar incidents in the future, acknowledging the importance of learning from the community’s experiences.
Marlowe had previously linked support for major projects on the traditional territory of the Łutsel K’é Dene First Nation to receiving an apology. While he acknowledged the premier’s apology, he indicated that support for such projects is now uncertain. Simpson refrained from further comment following Marlowe’s reaction to the apology.