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What's working in the South Slave
"The South Slave region has a very articulate negotiator. They work together very well and there is a lot of activity at the community level." by Traci Miltenberger
NNSL (July 21/97) - While there is considerable division among Metis in the North Slave, the South Slave Tribal Council is "setting ambitious deadlines" into self-government and land claims issues, according to chief negotiator George Kurszewski. "We are looking at having an agreement-in-principle in one year and a final agreement in two," Kurszewski says. The South Slave Tribal Council was established in 1994 when Metis membership from Hay River, Fort Smith and Fort Resolution presented a united front to the Metis Nations of the NWT. Since then, South Slave Metis have put together several successful jobs-related projects, particularly since Metis took over administration of the federal Pathways program two years ago. This year 150 to 200 have been employed in the regions through the Metis Nation-run programs. Kurszewski told xxxNews/North that the Metis have also signed a seven-year fire-fighting contract in a joint venture with the Dene in Fort Smith. In the works is a Metis Cultural Institute, as agreed at a recent general assembly. The new Metis office in Fort Smith and renovations to the existing building in Hay River have also provided jobs and new accommodations members. While Kurszewski admits that some projects are federally funded, a number of other financial institutions are also backing them. |