Fort Simpson (June 27/03) - Two NWT aboriginal groups with outstanding land claims have forged a partnership to monitor devolution of federal powers.

The Deh Cho and the Akaitcho agreed on June 17 to form a working group to analyze the proposed Northwest Territories Lands and Resources Devolution Framework Agreement, which was recently initialed.

Michael Nadli, grand chief of the Deh Cho First Nations, said they and the Akaitcho have concerns over the legality of the devolution process and its potential impacts on the treaty relationship with the federal government.

Some federal powers are to be transferred to the territorial government and others to First Nations and Metis through the Aboriginal Summit.

"Clearly it's intended by the GNWT to take over responsibility of lands and resources in the North," Nadli contended. "The framework agreement on devolution, what all of a sudden it creates is a level of uncertainty (as to) which table is going to address which matters."

The Deh Cho want to continue negotiating self-government exclusively with the federal government -- as the region's treaty set out in 1921 -- not with the territorial government or their "aboriginal brothers," Nadli added.

"We're not going to slough it away to another forum," he said.

Nobody from the Department of Aboriginal Affairs could be reached for comment prior to deadline. A spokesperson for the department said they were all on duty travel.