Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort simpson (Mar 26/04) - The Deh Cho is seeking devolution on its own terms.

A framework agreement, outlining the process for transferring federal control over lands and resources to the GNWT and aboriginal governments, was signed in Yellowknife last week. However, the Deh Cho First Nations (DCFN) remain at "arm's length" from the process, according to Grand Chief Herb Norwegian.

He said the Deh Cho region is striving for something more creative and innovative in its own self-government negotiations with the federal government.

"The opportunity for us to create something that's homemade is where we want to go with our process," he said. "It's very clear that we're talking about public government and Canada and the GNWT have signed on to that. The road is paved. It's just a matter of filling in the empty blocks."

Norwegian met with Andy Mitchell, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, in Yellowknife last week. He said he received a verbal commitment that negotiations to reach an Interim Resource Development Agreement will be extended six months beyond the original April deadline. Such an agreement would lay the foundation for an oil and gas exploration cycle in the Deh Cho.

Federal negotiator Robin Aitken acknowledged that the Deh Cho self-government talks and the devolution process have overlapping subject matters that must be addressed.

"How are the regions going to work together with Yellowknife? That's devolution's big picture," Aitken said.

Don Morin, executive director of the NWT Aboriginal Summit, said the Deh Cho have a standing invitation to add their voice to the intergovernmental forum process. Morin said he can't predict whether friction will result from the way the federal government handles the Deh Cho and Aboriginal Summit's parallel negotiations in the NWT.

"The key here is that through whatever process is open to us hopefully all aboriginal people will benefit," he said.