Tara Kearsey
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Aug 07/00) - The Territorial government has announced a block of land in the North Slave has been selected to become "Dogrib Lands."

Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development Robert Nault announced last week that about 40,000 square kilometres near the communities of Rae-Edzo, Wha Ti, Rae Lakes and Snare Lake has been set aside for the Dogribs. The move is part of the land identification process of the Dogrib Agreement in Principle, signed earlier this year.

Chief federal negotiator Jean-Yves Assiniwi said now the public has at least 60 days to review the land selection map, which will be posted in "as many places as possible."

"Then we will probably, late in September ... we will go into each community and answer questions and see if people have concerns," he said.

A land withdrawal process has also been implemented to protect the area around the four North Slave communities so the Dogrib can complete their land identification process.

During the withdrawal process, new mining claims or land leases will not be permitted. Those who have an existing interest in the land will not be affected.

However, the area will remain designated as Crown lands during the withdrawal period and other members of the public will be permitted to hunt and fish on the land.

Assiniwi said he does not believe the land identification will have any effect on overlap talks with the Deh Cho and Yellowknives Dene First Nations.

"I don't see why it would have an effect. The land is around the four Dogrib communities and not anywhere else, so I don't know how it would have an effect," said Assiniwi.

If it does have an effect, he said, that information will come about during the consultation process.

"For example, if one of the Yellowknives has a trap line and he is being affected by the land selection, I could see us doing something.

"If it's a political play being done by one group to try and interfere with the other, then that's another story," said Assiniwi.

In a news release last week, DIAND Robert Nault said he has instructed federal negotiators to review the proposal with other Aboriginal groups "to ensure they are fully aware of it and to give them a full opportunity to express their views."