Andrew Raven
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Mar 26/04) - Yellowknifers will still be able to hunt and fish on traditional Dogrib lands after the Tlicho self-government and land claims agreement is signed, said one of the group's chief negotiators.

Negotiator James Washie says non-Dogrib will still be allowed to hunt and fish in Tlicho territory. - Andrew Raven/NNSL photo

"There will be generous access for outsiders to the land," James Washie said Tuesday at the legislative assembly during an open-forum on the Tlicho Agreement.

Great Slave MLA Bill Braden called the forum to give his constituents a chance to discuss the agreement, which will see 39,000 square kilometres of territory in the North Slave fall under the jurisdiction of a Dogrib government.

Tlicho officials will have the authority to pass laws, administer education and health dollars, and control mining and exploration within the boundaries of the settlement territory.

During last year's territorial election, Braden said some of his constituents worried that might lead to restrictions on hunting and fishing for non-Tlicho people.

But while prospective hunters and fisherman will have to register before heading out onto the land, access will not be restricted, said Washie.

"We want to know who goes where and for how long, in case people get lost and need to be rescued," Washie said. "But non-Tlicho citizens will be allowed on the land."

Tlicho officials still need to sort out permitting issues, something Washie believed will be addressed in the coming months.

Update on legislation

Washie, Braden and Premier Joe Handley also updated the 40 or so constituents on the state of the negotiations.

The first of three sections of the Tlicho self-government and land claims bill passed through the legislature last fall. The second is expected to be introduced during the current session, while the third will be tabled in May.

In addition to the territorial legislation, another bill outlining the agreement is scheduled to be brought before the House of Commons on March 31. But while Tlicho and territorial officials hailed the agreement as groundbreaking, Metis leaders criticized both parties for "rushing" the bill through the legislature.

"There is a frustration out there, especially among the Metis, that their voices are not being heard," said Bill Enge, president of Metis Local 66 in Yellowknife.

Enge urged MLAs to delay passage of the second and third parts of the legislation to give the Metis a chance to assert their traditional rights in the North Slave region.