Derek Neary
Northern News Services

FORT SIMPSON (Aug 21/98) - Let the deliberations begin.

The leadership, elders and delegates of the Deh Cho First Nations (DCFN) will review the Deh Cho Working Group's report over the next month until a special assembly is held.

That assembly, likely to take place in Fort Providence in late September, will determine whether the report will be fully endorsed.

The paper is largely based on the 21 common ground principles that have been established between the DCFN and the federal government. They are to serve as the starting point for formal negotiations, pending further consultation with the Deh Cho people and a response from DIAND Minister Jane Stewart.

Ministerial envoy Peter Russell, who has been involved in the Deh Cho process over the past four months, is to write a separate report. Nadli said he expects Russell's paper will correlate much of what is contained in the Deh Cho Working Group's version.

Ultimately, the DCFN is seeking self-government and control of its ancestral lands. Their attempt to secure those objectives in 1994, by way of the Deh Cho Proposal, was rejected by the Department of Indian Affairs. Now, Deh Cho Grand Chief Michael Nadli said he feels formal negotiations will culminate in the realization of the Deh Cho Proposal's aims after all.

"We're patient," he said. "The federal government is learning, finally. The very idea of the First Nations filing claim to their own land is profoundly disturbing -- and that's the comprehensive land claims process. Yet, at the same time, I believe that there's an opportunity for Canada and the DCFN to enter into an equitable partnership on mutual recognition and jurisdiction."

The final agreement stands to be "unique" and "ground-breaking" Nadli predicted.

Reaching that point will take some time, however. Russell speculated that it will take four to five years to complete the negotiations.

The lack of progress over the past couple of decades has clearly been frustrating for some leaders and delegates at the assembly.

"It's been 20 years we have talked about these same issues," said Rita Cli, chief of the Liidlii Koe First Nations. "We've been sitting on things for a long time. If we're going to fix things for future generations, let's do it now."

Former grand chief Gerry Antoine recommended a cautious approach. He drew on a hunting analogy, suggesting that one doesn't rush in as soon as they spot tracks leading into the bush.

"One thing I've learned over the years is that you've got to take one step at a time," he said, adding that every member of the DCFN should carefully examine the working group's report. "If we don't sit down and hash these differences, we're going to keep running into each other. We have to take care of ourselves."

Nadli said the entire future course of action will be an "open process," which will allow for all members to be informed and involved.

"We are going ahead, but we have to get ourselves ready. We have to talk to each other," he said.

Yet, unity was thrown into question with the absence of the Acho Dene Koe from Fort Liard. Neither Chief Harry Deneron nor any delegates were present. Nadli said the DCFN was "concerned" over their absence and it would have to be addressed by the leadership.

The DCFN bylaws provide for a quorum to be reached with two-thirds of the membership present, Nadli noted, so all resolutions passed remain valid.