Yellowknife (Dec 20/04) - The federal government has fewer than 60 days to show its serious about delivering resource revenue dollars to aboriginal governments... or beware the consequences.

So says Aboriginal Summit executive director, Don Morin.

"Our negotiators, as well as the territorial (government) have been saying continuously that resource-revenue sharing has to be on the table," said Morin.

"We're not interested in just a transfer of program service to the GNWT. You have to pay for those programs."

Morin's comments come days after Prime Minister Paul Martin announced that negotiations with the territorial government over resource royalties are making "significant progress," but failed to make any mention of aboriginal governments, and what their share would be.

Martin's announcement came with a $40 million pledge to fund the Northern Strategy for the NWT over the next three years. The money is meant to help the territory in its transition to a more province-like entity.

The Aboriginal Summit -- which represents most of the aboriginal governments in the NWT except for Deh Cho First Nations -- issued an ultimatum last Thursday, demanding the federal government negotiate resource-revenue dollars with them as well.

They gave the government 60 days to respond, although Morin wouldn't say what would happen if they don't.

"I don't have the crystal ball in front of me," said Morin.

"Basically our aboriginal government leaders have said that they'll be getting together in January, and once again in February, to see if there's been any progress at all," Morin said. "They will make their decision then."

The Aboriginal Summit, Premier Joe Handley, and then-minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development Andy Mitchell, signed a framework agreement last March that paves the way for the devolution of powers from Ottawa. Morin said control over government programs isn't enough, however. The Aboriginal Summit is calling for a 50-50 share of any resource royalties Ottawa offers the GNWT.

"We're talking about what is above and beyond land claims or treaty entitlement," said Morin.

"We're talking about working in partnership with the GNWT, we're talking about creating a new governance in the Northwest Territories -- one that will really affect aboriginal governments' needs."

The summit has already received assurances from Premier Joe Handley that aboriginal leaders will be involved in decisions over resource-royalties, Morin said.

Handley is on vacation and could not be reached for comment. Attempts to contact Finance Minister Floyd Roland by press time were unsuccessful.

Western Arctic MP Ethel Blondin-Andrew couldn't be reached for comment, either.