by Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services
NNSL (OCT 04/96) - The City of Yellowknife wants a part in land claim negotiations that could affect its future.
"Why will you not invite us to the table?" asked Alderman John Dalton of a panel of land claim negotiators Monday night.
The panel had assembled for the fourth in a series of public meetings to discuss the city's future.
Up for discussion was the impact on the city of two Dene claims currently under negotiation and a Metis claim just getting restarted.
The Yellowknives Dene and Dogrib Treaty 11 negotiations with the federal government have not yet reached the land selection stage.
In response to Dalton's question, federal negotiator Yves Assiniwi said, "There is no opposition to you being at the table ... it's not a question of the city being there or not, it's a question of how they will be involved."
However, even if there's no impediment to city involvement, there may be some reluctance, said Charles Overvold, executive director of aboriginal affairs for the GWNT.
"There is a concern among aboriginal groups. They don't want to be negotiating with a group of parties -- they want to negotiate with the government of Canada."
Overvold added that officials from his department have been in contact with the city during negotiations.
Prior to Dalton's question, Mayor Dave Lovell asked if federal negotiators are making any attempt to gauge the combined effect the claims will have on the city.
"Is there any attempt being made to co-ordinate and say, `this is the maximum effect of the total claim'?"
The president of Yellowknife Metis Local 66, Bill Enge, said the city delegation shouldn't worry too much. Negotiation, he said, has evolved from an adversarial to a co-operative process.
"We want to do this in a reasonable, rational way, select lands that will fulfill our needs and respect the needs of the city of Yellowknife."
"I don't think any aboriginal groups have been talking about taking it all back," said Assiniwi. "We're conscious of not only protecting the city but allowing for expansion."