Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (Apr 26/02) - Nearly one year after interim self-government agreements were signed with the federal government, Deh Cho leaders still distrust the federal government.

A week-long governance workshop ended on a sour note when Deh Cho chief negotiator Chris Reid informed his federal counterparts that leaders and elders still fear they are being forced into a comprehensive land claim.

"The people's fear is that fundamentally federal policy has not changed that much," Reid said. "It's the nature of a big bureaucracy to stick with what they're familiar with."

A comprehensive claim is of concern because it involves extinguishment of aboriginal title to the land and involves land selection, giving First Nations limited rights in land management. As well, Reid said there's been no indication the federal government will accept the meaningful role for elders and family-based land holding system desired by the Deh Cho.

Although last week's workshop was merely a forum for preliminary discussions of self-government concepts, Reid said the format and terminology made Deh Cho chiefs and elders uncomfortable, as did having federal and territorial government negotiators as facilitators.

Reid's message came as a great disappointment to federal negotiator Robin Aitken, who said, "We've been very open and honest all the way ... it's not going to be much of a final agreement if the Deh Cho people aren't buying it."

Aitken noted that the federal negotiating team has already established precedents with the Deh Cho by signing an interim measures agreement, by agreeing to a open, public process and by not forcing the Deh Cho to accept federal loans to finance negotiations.

"We have permission to do something, let's do it," he said.

Reid said Deh Cho leaders and elders will devise a Dene-style format for a land-management workshop scheduled for Trout Lake from May 20-24.

Deh Cho leaders would also like Robert Nault, minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, to be present for at least a few days of the Trout Lake workshop, not just an afternoon, Reid said. He said they feel Nault must be educated in Dene ways.

Aitken replied that having Nault devote a couple of days is unrealistic, but added,

"I know the minister is very supportive of the process."