Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Providence (Nov 08/02) - Chris Reid said he will no longer be chief negotiator for the Deh Cho First Nations as of June.

He made the announcement at last week's Deh Cho First Nations leadership assembly in Fort Providence. Reid was responding to a suggestion by Hay River Reserve Chief Roy Fabian that someone from the Deh Cho should be in the chief negotiators' role.

It's a comment Reid has heard many times and, he said, he takes no offence to it.

"I'm a lawyer from Ontario. You're right, this isn't my territory," he replied to Fabian last Thursday.

"I said when I started this that I did not want to do this forever."

He said he has forsaken other legal work that would pay him three times as much as the Deh Cho Process file. In addition, Reid has two children in Toronto with whom he wants to spend more time.

He acknowledged that it is important for the chief negotiator to live within the region. Some delegates also want his replacement to have a knowledge of the Slavey language and speak to the elders.

However, Reid, who is in his third year as chief negotiator, said it doesn't really matter who takes over because the job description does not include deciding policy. An understanding of the process and the ability to take direction are more important, he suggested. He also recognizes that there's symbolism attached to the chief negotiator's job.

"I don't have all the answers," said Reid, who isn't ruling out the possibility of remaining as a consulting lawyer for the Deh Cho. "Somebody else may bring some fresh ideas."