Last-minute doubts on self-government agreement
Derek Neary
Northern News Services
Fort Simpson (May 11/01) - Acho Dene Koe chief Judy Kotchea has reservations over the Deh Cho First Nations' Interim Measures Agreement and Draft Framework Agreement.
Earlier this week, Kotchea wouldn't specify what her concerns are, but said everything should be sorted out during a DCFN leadership conference in Fort Simpson next week.
"I haven't really decided what we're going to do yet," she said. "We'll know by the end of the leadership meeting."
The agreements, which have already been ratified by the federal cabinet, GNWT cabinet and the DCFN, are scheduled to be signed on May 23 in Fort Simpson.
The draft framework agreement outlines topics for negotiation, while the interim measures agreement gives the DCFN a measure of control over lands in the region until a final agreement has been concluded.
The DCFN asked Vancouver lawyer Louise Mandell for her legal opinion of the agreements last month.
The Liidlii Kue First Nation and the Acho Dene Koe (ADK) each had their own legal counsel review the documents as well, according to DCFN chief negotiator Chris Reid.
Only the Acho Dene Koe refused to reaffirm support for the agreements during a leadership tele-conference last month, Nadli confirmed.
He said it is up to Kotchea to make her concerns public, but he did question why the ADK has waited until so late in the process to express doubt.
Robin Aitken, the federal government's chief negotiator, said he will meet with the ADK's lawyer this week to discuss the band's concerns.
"I'm confident that we can resolve the situation," Aitken said.
He refused to speculate on the implications of having the ADK completely withdraw from the Deh Cho process.
