Hay River Reserve (May 10/04) - Aboriginal leaders gathered on the Hay River Reserve last week for continuing talks in the Deh Cho Process.

Herb Norwegian

Herb Norwegian, the Grand Chief of the Deh Cho First Nations (DCFN), says the 10 First Nations' chiefs and three Metis presidents reached consensus on two major issues, although he stressed no final decisions were made and will be subject to consultations and negotiations.

One issue is a residency requirement for non-Dene to participate in a Deh Cho public government -- for aboriginals and non-aboriginals -- that would be created under the process and take over many of the powers of the territorial government.

Previously, 20 years' residency was being suggested, but that may be lowered, Norwegian says. "I think what we're looking at now is five to seven years."

In particular, he says, the process needs to consider the rights of non-Dene in communities like Hay River, Enterprise and Fort Simpson. "And how to bring that all together."

Another area was the percentage of guaranteed aboriginal representation in any new Deh Cho public government. Previously, the figure suggested was 50 per cent, but the aboriginal leaders now feel that should be increased to 75 per cent.

"We're trying to get some dialogue in the communities about this," says Norwegian.

Those and other issues will be discussed at the Deh Cho First Nations' annual general assembly, set for June 28 to July 2 in Kakisa.

The next step

Norwegian says last week's discussions largely centred on preparing for an agreement-in-principle, the next step in the Deh Cho Process expected in about two years.

Since negotiations began in 1999 among the DCFN, the federal government and the GNWT, a framework agreement, an interim measures agreement, and interim deals on resource development and land withdrawals have been reached.