Hay River (July 21/03) - The Town of Hay River has decided to hire an expert to help it deal with the Deh Cho land claim process.

"It's time to... examine our options," said Coun. Tom Hamilton, who brought the motion forward in council last Monday.

He said a specialist was needed so "the citizens of Hay River can have input in the process."

Hay River falls within the Deh Cho territory and mayor Duncan McNeill wants to be sure the town has options if and when a land claim agreement is reached between the First Nation and the GNWT.

"Right now, we're not exactly sure where (Hay River) stands," he said.

"It's important to have a clear picture of what our constitutional and legal rights are."

While Hay River doesn't have an official place at the bargaining table -- the town's interests are represented by the GNWT -- councillors have had conversations with Deh Cho leaders.

"So far they have been general discussions that haven't touched on the specifics of self-government," said McNeill. "We hope to sit down and negotiate with them more in the future."

Some councillors expressed concerns over Hay River's future in an independent Deh Cho nation.

"The status quo would be no more," said Dean McMeekin.

McNeill worried that Hay River's role in a new government may not be proportional with its size.

"Under the current system... Hay River with its population of 4,000 would have the same voice as Kakisa and its population of 64."

McNeill said the city has lots of work to do before it adopts an official position.

"We are not opposed to the idea. But I can't ask the citizens of Hay River to give up their traditional government

and I can't ask people in the Deh Cho to give up theirs. We'll have to find a solution that works for both."