Hay River (Sep 06/04) - A meeting tomorrow may go a long way toward the Town of Hay River getting more land for development.

The GNWT will meet representatives of the Northwest Territory Metis Nation (NTMN) to discuss their procedural concerns over a proposed transfer of Commissioner's land to the town.

MACA Minister Michael McLeod and Premier Joe Handley, in his role as minister of aboriginal affairs, are expected to attend the meeting in Hay River.

Rob Tordiff, president of the NTMN, says the discussion will involve the Metis interim measures agreement and their negotiation process.

"It's a matter of finding a way to accommodate everyone's need while adhering to the obligations of the IMA."

The Metis have expressed interest in some land in Hay River.

The Town of Hay River has been invited to sit in on the meeting as observers.

Mayor Diana Ehman and Coun. Tom Hamilton discussed the issue with McLeod and Handley on Aug. 25-26.

"We're pushing them to settle it one way or another," Ehman says.

In its general plan, the town requested about 122 hectares of Commissioner's land. However, Ehman notes about half of that is already spoken for, either by third parties, West Point First Nation or the Metis.

That would leave about 60 hectares available for development.

Currently, the town is virtually out of land for development. For example, it cannot accommodate a request for land to build a pipe-coating facility.