Rae-Edzo (Dec 13/04) - They cruised the streets of Rae/Edzo in their heavy-duty trucks, Tuesday, bringing news that the most important piece of legislature for the Tlicho Dogrib people had passed through the House of Commons.

By Thursday, the news was widespread, but so was confusion about the implications of the Tlicho Land Claims and Self-Government Act.

Bill C-14, which grants 39,000 square kilometres of land and self-government rights to the Tlicho people, is now in the hands of the senate.

The Dogrib people are spread mainly across four communities.

Some residents of Rae/Edzo, the largest Dogrib community in the North Slave region, expressed happiness with the agreement, though they remained in the dark about what exactly it meant for their people.

"I'm confused and I would like the counsellors to explain it to us," said Alice A. Mantla.

Mantla said she wasn't sure how she should feel and she was "bouncing back and forth" between supporting and not supporting the act.

Margaret Black was happy that 10 years of work leading up to the agreement wasn't in vain.

"They worked too hard on it, that's why I'm happy," said Black.

Some Dogrib people are happy for the next generation, who they feel stand to benefit the most.

"It's good for the kids, it's good for their future. For me, it's going to get worse," said Bobby Wanazah, a trapper.

He fears the money gained in the agreement will increase existing alcohol and drug problems in his community.

Leroy Mantla admitted to being excited when he heard the news, but said he plans to ask the politicians for some answers about self-government.

"I think it would be awesome if (the Tlicho) take over renewable resources, education, and health and social services," he said Thursday.

Over all, Mantla can't wait to show the world that the Dogrib are an independent people.

A group of Dogrib men hanging out in the lobby of the Co-op, Thursday, hoped for more jobs to come out of the agreement.

Peter Adzin is unemployed. He hopes to drive a truck for a living. Now that the agreement will likely be a reality, he figures that dream may come true. "It's right, it's good. It's something for us, for jobs," he said.

Others weren't so optimistic.

Richard Huskey is a trained heavy equipment operator, but he's been looking for work in Rae/Edzo for two years. He depends on social assistance, something he doesn't think the Tlicho agreement will change.

"The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer," he said.

He wants the Dogrib Treaty 11 Council to help him get a job, but said many people on the council hire family members first.