Mike W. Bryant
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Jan 06/06) - Fears that the Yellowknives Dene want to snap up valuable property within the city limits played at least some part in a city council motion seeking title to 24 plots of Commissioner's land from the territorial government.

Monte Christensen, planning and lands manager for the city, said competition with the Yellowknives over land isn't the only reason they want to assume ownership, but acknowledged that it is a concern.

"That could be a factor in the back of our minds, but we don't want come right out and say that," said Christensen.

"It's just a precaution."

In one of its last acts before the Christmas break, council passed a motion calling on the territorial government to convert the lease status of city-held properties into fee simple title.

They include the Folk on the Rocks site, The Yellowknife Ski Club, several parks, shoreline along Yellowknife Bay and Back Bay, rock and dirt quarries, and private residences holding a sublease with the city.

Commissioner's lands within the city were barred from sale four years ago under the Interim Measures Agreement. It was put in place to ensure lands wouldn't be given away while the Akaitcho First Nation, which includes the Yellowknives Dene, was negotiating a land claim.

But later this month, Michael McLeod, minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, is expected to hand down a decision on what lands will go to the city and Yellowknives Dene.

Coun. Dave McCann said fears that the city may have to hand over land is "always a concern these years."

"We're not unsympathetic to the Akaitcho Dene receiving proper land claims resolution, but at the same time we don't want to be stalled in just trying to get on building our city," said McCann. "Bureaucrats tend to hide behind regulations."

A Municipal and Community Affairs spokesperson said the department expects land selections from the Yellowknives in the next few days.

Yellowknives Dene could not be reached for comment.