Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (Nov 25/05) - The federal government is trying to force Dehcho First Nations into a comprehensive land claim, according to Grand Chief Herb Norwegian.

A land selection process was part of the terms presented by a federal negotiator in Fort Providence on Nov. 16.

The Deh Cho does not want to simply identify areas which it would claim for development purposes, Norwegian said. Instead, the First Nations are seeking to have jurisdiction over all the land in the region.

"The only thing that's sellable these days in Ottawa is a Tli Cho or a comprehensive-style settlement and here it is. All you need to do is fill in the blanks and you've got a deal," said Norwegian. "We're being led to the dungeon on this one."

An approach that involves extinguishment of aboriginal title to any Deh Cho lands is not going to work, he said.

"It could mean that our people are going to say, 'No deal guys.' And we'll just walk away from the table," he warned. "We'll just move on and continue to assert our authority over our land. We've got the resources and they need to have (First Nations') approval in order to develop our land."

Regional aboriginal leaders will be discussing the government's proposal internally over the coming weeks, according to Norwegian.

A spokesperson with Indian Affairs and Northern Development said the content of the proposal is all to be negotiated.

"It's a long process. This is one step in negotiations," the spokesperson said.

The DIAND source would offer no response to Norwegian's comments. While the bargaining remains open to the public, the department doesn't want to get into exchanges in the media, the spokesperson said.

The federal terms do include provisions for a Dehcho Resource Management Authority, which may oversee land-use planning, land and water regulation, protected area management as well as forest and wildlife management.

There is also a reference to a federal cash settlement or "capital transfer" that would involve an unspecified sum of money over a 15-year period.

The federal government states that it is using the failed 1990 Dene/Metis agreement as a "reference point" for its offer.

That's another mistake, according to Norwegian.

"Now we have to listen to this regurgitation of something that was developed, opposed and killed (many) years ago," he said.