DCFN safeguards its position
Derek Neary
Northern News Services
Fort Simpson (May 11/01) - A Vancouver-based lawyer suggests that treaty rights in the Deh Cho will not be prejudiced by the Deh Cho First Nations' interim self-government agreements.
The Deh Cho First Nations (DCFN) had lawyer Louise Mandell, who has experience with land claims in B.C., review its interim measures agreement and its draft framework agreement as a precautionary measure prior to signing the documents, which is scheduled for May 23 in Fort Simpson.
In the 24-page legal opinion Mandell writes:
"Both the (draft framework) agreement and IMA make it clear that the parties do not intend that either document create binding legal obligations.
The only agreement which will be binding in law is the final agreement."
However, warned that provisions in Treaty 8 and Treaty 11 could be affected by future self-government negotiations.
That came as no surprise to DCFN chief negotiator Chris Reid.
"Anytime you negotiate with the federal government, what they want is clear access to the resources, which in the Deh Cho's case is oil and gas. We know that," Reid said.
"We have to ask ourselves, 'can we negotiate something that will give them that but will do it in a way that meets the Deh Cho's interests too?'"
