Pending further consultation with the people of the Deh Cho and a response from Minister Jane Stewart, these principles will form the basis from which the Deh Cho First Nations and the federal government will open formal negotiations.

The members of the Deh Cho Working Group are: Grand Chief Michael Nadli, Chief Rita Cli, former grand Chief Gerald Antoine, former chief Gabe Hardisty, former chief Joachim Bonnetrouge and Michael McLeod, former Metis president of Fort Providence Metis Nation.

The 21 principles of common ground are as follows:

1. The Deh Cho First Nations and Canada (the parties) intend their relationship to be based on mutual recognition and sharing and to achieve this mutual recognition and sharing by agreeing on rights, rather than by extinguishing rights.
2. The Deh Cho First Nations have their own constitution.
3. These principles should form the basis of the mandates to be given to the negotiators by the Deh Cho First Nations and cabinet. The parties may expand these principles during negotiations.
4. The parties will negotiate in good faith. To this end, they will work together and learn from each other.
5. As agreements are achieved on subject matters, the parties may implement these agreements, as sub-agreements, prior to a final agreement.
6. The integrity of the land will be maintained through negotiations and in the final agreement.
7. The Deh Cho government will be a public government based on Dene laws and customs and on other laws as agreed to in negotiations. It will be the primary government responsible to deliver programs and services to all residents of the Deh Cho.
8. Canada will expand assistance for capacity-building to enhance governance in the Deh Cho prior to, during and after a final agreement.
9. Non-aboriginal residents will have a right to participate in Deh Cho government at the regional or community level with respect to services and functions of governance that directly affect them.
10. Canada and the Deh Cho commit to a process to educate each other, re: laws and customs.
11. The Deh Cho First Nations and Canada relationship will be a nation to nation one building on existing treaties.
12. The Deh Cho First Nations government will have revenue-raising capacities including taxing authorities.
13. The Final Agreement will address issues relating to compensation and financial payments.
14. The negotiation of an agreement is in the interest of the people of Canada as well as of the Deh Cho.
15. The parties will explore alternatives for funding the negotiation process prior to entering formal negotiations. The funding will be adequate to provide for the full involvement of Deh Cho residents in the development of the agreement, taking into account the unique culture and geography of the Deh Cho.
16. An interim land use process, including interim protection measures will be negotiated simultaneously with the Framework Agreement to ensure negotiations can begin and will not be undermined.
17. All rights of Canadians, which are guaranteed by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, will be respected by the government of the Deh Cho. Special provisions, however, will protect the aboriginal and treaty rights of the Deh Cho.
18. The relationship between the Deh Cho government and the rest of the Western Arctic and the federal government will be one of important issues to be negotiated.
19. Fiscal arrangements to ensure adequate support for the Deh Cho government will be negotiated in the agreement.
20. Fiscal arrangements will ensure that residents of the Deh Cho territory will enjoy a level of public services enjoyed byother Canadians.
21. The next steps in the Deh Cho Process are: a) Agreement by both parties to proceed
    b) Funding and commitment to negotiate are in place as soon as possible
    c) Interim Protection (Land Use Process) and Framework
    d) A federal mandate will be sought as soon as possible