DEH CHO - With the May 2 election quickly approaching, the Dehcho First Nations (DFN) asked Western Arctic candidates Dennis Bevington, Joe Handley and Sandy Lee for their positions on the protection of Edehzhie – or the Horn Plateau region.

Samuel Gargan, Dehcho First Nation grand chief, says DFN has been working for more than 10 years to protect Edehzhie through the NWT Protected Areas Strategy. The area had both surface and sub-surface protection dating back to 2002, based on an interim land withdrawal, until the sub-surface portion lapsed last year. - NNSL file photo

"We wanted to know what their positions were with regard to the sub-surface rights," said DFN Grand Chief Samuel Gargan.

On Oct 31, 2010, the sub-surface protection for Edehzhie – a 25,230-square-kilometre area, which encompasses the Horn Plateau and provides source water to Willowlake as well as the Horn and Rabbitskin rivers – lapsed and the DFN believes the federal government acted in bad faith by not renewing it.

The DFN is calling for the immediate renewal of sub-surface protection for the ecological and culturally rich area, as it is now open for potential exploration and mining.

Gargan said he was encouraged Bevington and Handley publicly pledged their support for the reinstatement of sub-surface protection for the region, but he would not officially endorse a candidate.

"It would be sort of irresponsible for me to support one candidate over another because we do work with government and the relationship has to exist after the election," he said.

"The responses speak for themselves."

Gargan sent the request to the three candidates in a letter dated April 14, in order to better inform Dehcho members – and potential voters – prior to the election.

"(The candidates) never responded to (that question) in the debates that I know of and that was why we had the question go out," he said.

The DFN has been working for more than 10 years to protect Edehzhie through the NWT Protected Areas Strategy. The area had both surface and sub-surface protection dating back to 2002, based on an interim land withdrawal, until the sub-surface portion lapsed last year.

The DFN did not send questions to Green Party candidate Eli Purchase or Animal Alliance Environment Voters Party of Canada candidate Bonnie Dawson.

"We asked to get the main candidates here," said Gargan, who stated his belief is the race will boil down to Bevington, Handley and Lee.

The DFN filed an application for judicial review in federal court on Nov. 29, 2010. The application calls for the reinstatement of sub-surface protection and the process is underway.

"We don't have a date for the actual hearing yet," said DFN legal counsel, Chris Reid, who added he expects it will likely take place sometime in the fall of this year.

Dennis Bevington:

"It was an honour to stand with you at a Parliament Hill press conference on Dec. 15, 2010 denouncing the Harper Conservatives for allowing the Edehzhie (Horn Plateau) protection to lapse.

Incumbent NDP candidate Dennis Bevington

New Democrats do not believe mineral, oil and gas development should take place in a protected area. A New Democrat government would have renewed the protection of this area of such great ecological and cultural importance to the people of the Dehcho (and all Northerners.) In fact, a New Democrat government would not remove any sub-surface or surface protections without the support of the people of the area.

For far too long, the federal government has made decisions about the lands of the Northwest Territories without involving Northerners. We stand prepared to reinstate the protections immediately.

A New Democrat government would work in co-operation with the NWT's governments, Aboriginal and public, in making decisions about Northern lands. It is time the people of the North determined what happens on their land."

Joe Handley:

"Thank you for the opportunity to respond to the concerns by Dehcho First Nations leaders and membership about action taken by the Conservative government to open Edehzhie to exploration and development. I heard those concerns loud and clear while travelling through your region last week. I went to every community in your area except Wrigley, where I didn't go because of a death in the community, but did speak with Chief Tim Lennie.

Liberal candidate Joe Handley

It was the Liberal government that in June 2002 approved a five-year land withdrawal of the Edehzhie candidate area through an Order in Council. It was expected at the time that the five-year withdrawal was sufficient to conclude negotiations on the Dehcho Process. If it wasn't, it was understood by the government that an extension would be made.

When Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff was in the NWT on April 18, this issue was referenced at the meeting with Chiefs but was not discussed in detail because of time constraints. I spoke to Mr. Ignatieff after about the matter and he assured me that once we form the government, he would agree to immediately reinstate the sub-surface and surface withdrawals, which lapsed in October 2010. Mr. Ignatieff is absolutely clear that all land and self-government negotiations, including the Dehcho process, will be respected and settled as fairly and expediently as possible.

I understand the ecological and cultural importance of the Edehzhie area and have travelled through parts of it. I agree that there are areas, such as Edehzhie, which must be permanently protected from development, but open for traditional uses and other renewable uses such as tourism, as agreed to by the DFN. You can be assured that, if elected, I will want to discuss this further with DFN and will work in solidarity on a common strategy for achieving full and permanent protection of Edehzhie.

I will be most adamant, persuasive and vocal representative the NWT has had since the last Liberal government. As an Aboriginal resident and former Premier of the NWT, I am extremely concerned about the direction the Conservative government is taking our country and territory. The present situation, where we have a Conservative government and an NDP representative, is not working well for us politically, culturally, economically or any other way. I am optimistic that, with the support of Dene and Metis leaders, I can be a very effective voice in Ottawa. Working together we can make a difference!"

Conservative candidate Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee:

"I respect the ecological and cultural importance of Edehzhie to the people of the Dehcho. I believe there must be balance between the sustainable development and conservation of our lands. It is important to have a Member of Parliament who can directly convey your concerns to government and deliver results. On May 2, I would encourage you to vote for action and cast your ballot for me, Sandy Lee."

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