Jennifer McPhee
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Nov 25/02) - An information session about the Tlicho agreement last week deteriorated into a heated argument between federal government negotiator Jean-Yves Assiniwi and Yellowknife Metis Nation Local 66 president Bill Enge.

He argued the federal government is pretending the Tlicho agreement is a regional claim, when it's really a comprehensive land claim that excludes Metis.

"It quacks like a duck, swims like a duck, wobbles like a duck," said Engle. "It's a duck."

"You're trampling on my rights and I want my rights addressed... I'll give you the solution -- include us."

But Assiniwi steadfastly disagreed, often shaking his head in frustration.

"If you're asking me to assert your rights, you're in the wrong forum and you know it," said Assiniwi.

He said the agreement is between the federal government and the Tlicho -- the Tlicho agreement can be clawed back if it infringes on other's rights.

The North Slave Metis Alliance recently filed a second lawsuit against the federal government in hopes of proving the agreement tramples on Metis rights.

The first lawsuit failed.

But Enge said he would prefer negotiation to litigation and asked Assiniwi to "go back to his political masters" and ask them to do something.

"Before this meeting, I was encouraged to do that. I'm not so sure I am encouraged to do that now," Assiniwi shot back.

Other members of Yellowknife Metis Nation Local 66 spoke up.

"We should be included in the Dogrib claim," said Raymond Jones. "We could be swallowed up and we should be protected. Include us. There's just a handful of us."

Marc Whitford asked if there's any hope the Metis could achieve a separate land claim with the federal government.

Referring to infighting within Metis groups, Assiniwi said: "You've got some work to do. "You've made it easy for the government to ignore your rights. Get your act together. That's my personal advice."