YELLOWKNIFE - As some regions of Canada prepare for road and rail blockades, the Assembly of First Nations' (AFN) National Day of Action is taking a more conciliatory tone in Yellowknife with a rally and protest march.

"People are in different stages in their relationship with (the federal) government and here the relationship with government is somewhat different in the NWT... we aren't making as much progress as we would like, but they are talking" said AFN Regional Chief Bill Erasmus.

Erasmus said he will start June 29th with a speech to the Union Lawyers Association of Canada before attending a noon-hour rally at the Red Apple Restaurant and march down Franklin Ave. to Somba K'e park for a barbecue.

The National Day of Action grew out the frustration of First Nation leaders with the slow pace of land claim settlements, the current government's failure to implement the Kelowna Accord and generally poorer living conditions on reserves.

"The general public needs to be educated about the current situation facing First Nation people in Canada (so) on June 29 we are being asked to participate and inform people about our community and regional concerns," said Erasmus.

Two weeks ago, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced plans to create an independent land claims tribunal by 2008 to fast track the more than 800 outstanding land claims. Erasmus told Yellowknifer, the AFN and federal government will work together to draft legislation he hopes will pass into law by year's end.

"It's a good idea and something we were hoping would happen sooner," Erasmus said. "But there's some uncertainty because you don't know if parliament will continue or whether a new election could cause a delay."

Each year, the federal government settles between eight and 13 land claims.