Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (May 28/04) - The Deh Cho First Nations wants to expel big game outfitting operations from the region.

Grand Chief Herb Norwegian said the outfitters have provided no benefit to First Nations' people. There are also suspicions about meat being wasted. A resolution seeking the "ultimate removal" of the outfitters was passed at a leadership assembly on the Hay River Reserve earlier this month.

"In the long run it's better off that these guys just wrap up their business and move on and do something more important with their lives," Norwegian said.

DCFN communicating via fax

Werner Aschbacher, a Whitehorse resident who purchased South Nahanni Outfitters in December, said he recently received a fax from the DCFN informing him that his business is no longer welcome in the Deh Cho. He said he immediately called the DCFN's office asked to meet with its leaders.

"I was going to work with them and donate meat, create jobs and employ local businesses," Aschbacher said. Then he received a second DCFN fax stating that there will be no meeting.

Norwegian told the Drum that he has no instructions from the communities' chiefs to meet with any outfitters.

Because big game outfitters are licensed by the territorial government, the DCFN cannot force them to leave.

However, Norwegian said the First Nations will oppose any land-use permits and leases outfitters apply for through regulatory bodies.

"We'll badger them, give them a hard time and make it unbearable to operate," the grand chief said.

Aschbacher, who operates in the Root River area west of Wrigley, acknowledged that the DCFN could harm his business by preventing him from upgrading his camp facilities.

That could make his operation less attractive to prospective clients.

Nahanni Butte Outfitters, owned by a family in Lethbridge, Alta., also operates in the Deh Cho.

The owners couldn't be reached for comment.

Both operations offer hunts for Dall's sheep, moose, caribou, goats, black bears, wolves and wolverines.

Should local residents want to open their own big game outfitting business, Norwegian said the DCFN may support them so long as Deh Cho people are hired and the economics benefit the region.