Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Providence (Nov 08/02) - The federal government's willingness to give the Deh Cho a fraction of resource royalties doesn't sit well with Hay River Reserve Chief Roy Fabian.

He argued the proposed Interim Resource Development Agreement (IRDA) is fundamentally flawed. The agreement entitles regional First Nations and Metis Locals to only a small percentage of royalties from Deh Cho lands, lands they never ceded or surrendered according to the oral version of the treaty, Fabian said at last week's Deh Cho First Nations fall leadership assembly.

"It's going to be their law that's entrenched on us," he said of the federal government. "If that's what we're thinking, they've already beat us ... we're going to fall right into their trap."

Rita Cli assured Fabian that the government won't have jurisdiction over Deh Cho lands.

"This is our land. They're not the boss of our land," said Cli. "Whatever's going to happen is going to come through us."

Randy Sibbeston, president of the Fort Simpson Metis Nation, also expressed misgivings over the IRDA offer.

Sam Gargan, chief of the Deh Gah Got'ie Koe First Nation, said community-based reviews of the proposed deal should be undertaken.

Michael Nadli, grand chief of the Deh Cho First Nations, acknowledged that the deal is not without its flaws, but he said it would at least permit some development in selected areas.

It would also generate estimated revenues of between $1 million and $3 million per year for the region.

Although the Deh Cho wants better terms, the federal government has demonstrated that it will proceed on certain fronts without the Deh Cho's consent, such as by creating the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board, Nadli noted.

The federal government is "strong," with its own laws and courts to back it up, he told the delegates.

Chris Reid, chief negotiator for the Deh Cho, said the federal position has alternated between hardline and flexible based on how united the Deh Cho communities have been in sticking to their demands.

When individual communities pursue their own oil and gas initiatives, as some have been, the Deh Cho's position is weakened at the negotiating table, according to Reid.

"I don't want to sound like I'm defending the feds' position because I'm not. I don't like it. I fought against it," he said. "We've gone to the wall on this stuff."

Fabian said he sees the need to create jobs, but he suggested that, for now, the focus should be on advancing a Deh Cho Economic Corporation, such as targeting forestry or create other business opportunities.