SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Aboriginal leaders from across NWT are asking for a meeting with Premier Floyd Roland to discuss the territory's proposed devolution agreement with the federal government.

Most say they won't support the drafted agreement unless territorial and federal governments heed their concerns, even though Roland has said the agreement-in-principle will go forward with or without their support.

Representatives from the Gwich'in, Sahtu, Tlicho, Akaitcho and Deh Cho met Oct. 26 in Yellowknife to discuss their reasons for siding against the proposed agreement, which would transfer federally administrated land and water to the NWT, giving the territorial government more power to manage its own affairs.

In spite of Roland's assurances that the agreement as drafted wouldn't interfere with lands claims, the devolution plan has received major backlash from most aboriginal groups in the territory.

"It's not a good agreement when everybody is not fully at the table. It's all kind of one-sided," said Tlicho government representative Alphonz Nitsiza, chief of Whati.

"They say they have involved aboriginal groups, but the issues and concerns aboriginals raised were not part of the agreement," he added, saying he doesn't see how the government can think of finalizing the agreement without aboriginals' support.

"Some of the MLAs are not even in support of it. This is a big issue and clearly people have to be onside with this if it's going to work," Nitsiza said.

First Nations are still working on their land claims, and Nitsiza said it "would be good" if devolution was put on hold until that process is finished, however he understands the urgency of a devolution deal.

"I can understand where the territorial government is coming from. The cost to run the territory is huge and they're not getting enough dollars from the federal government. The only way to get more money is through royalties and revenue sharing," he said.

"But again, (consultation) needs to be done because we are different in the North. We have aboriginal governments as well so if we can all work together and come to an understanding of how we want to do business in the North, it will be better."

Yellowknives Dene Chief Edward Sangris said it appears as though the premier is going back on his promises to include aboriginal governments in devolution decision-making.

"Now it seems the bureaucrats or the guys behind the scenes are putting pressure on the premier to sign it," Sangris said, suggesting legal action if all parties can't reach an agreeable solution.

"We'll see how we can work together," added Sangris. "If not, then maybe we have no other alternative."

In an interview with News/North prior to the leaders' meeting, Gwich'in Tribal Council president Richard Nerysoo urged governments to stop ignoring aboriginal groups and instead to collaborate with them.

"I think we're capable of that but we can't get to that point if we're not going to listen to the issues and try to solve them now," he said.

The Sahtu is also taking a stand against the proposed agreement. While Ethel Blondin-Andrew, chair of the Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated, couldn't be reached for comment, Fort Good Hope Chief Arthur Tobac said the territorial and federal governments "are not listening at all."

Since the agreement-in-principle was leaked to the public late last month, "we were caught pretty much off guard," Tobac said, adding he's still seeking feedback from his community. But like the majority of aboriginal governments across the NWT, the Sahtu leadership's position is clear.

"Our region doesn't agree with or support the current devolution resource/revenue sharing agreement as it currently is drafted.

"We had many concerns that were brought up over the years with the agreement and those concerns haven't been answered, so we're still of the same opinion. If those concerns are not addressed and answered to our satisfaction then we don't support it at all," Tobac said.

Leaders from the Dehcho First Nation couldn't be reached for comment, but Jim Antoine, chief of Liidlii Kue First Nation in Fort Simpson, stated in a news release that the band does "not support any devolution agreement-in-principle that fails to fully address our concerns."

The only aboriginal group to express support for the proposed agreement is the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation. Chair Nellie Cournoyea didn't return calls, nor did representatives from the NWT

Metis Nation, whose position remains unclear.

Aboriginal groups had until Oct. 31 to respond in writing to the GNWT's lead negotiator about the agreement-in-principle.

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