DEH CHO
The Dehcho Process is taking a hiatus as negotiators go on holidays and take time off to be with their families.

Dehcho First Nations Grand Chief Herb Norwegian participates in the Dehcho Annual Assembly, where First Nations leaders discussed whether or not to pause the Dehcho Process. - April Hudson/NNSL photo

Dehcho First Nations Grand Chief Herb Norwegian said the break is fairly informal and the process will likely reconvene in September or after elections finish.

"Because it's such a lax summer, negotiators agreed they are going to take some time off and then get back together in the fall. It's kind of a little breather for everyone," he said.

"Some of our key people are off and some are taking holidays, and we're trying to cater to that."

In June, band leaders who attended the Dehcho Annual Assembly discussed pausing the Dehcho Process until after the federal election to see if a different party takes power.

At the time, Norwegian said the entire process could see a shift if the federal NDP party was to be elected.

However, no decision was made at that time, and Norwegian said that remains the case.

"We're nowhere close to a decision by resolution, by leadership or assemblies; there hasn't been anything like that," he said.

"There wouldn't be any need for us to ... halt negotiations."

Negotiations around the Dehcho Process have had a history of souring. Earlier in 2015, the process ground to a halt entirely before resuming at the beginning of the summer.

Norwegian said the current hiatus will mean a couple of planned negotiation sessions will not go forward.

"The (negotiation process) is drawn out. It's tedious ... when you have these negotiations, a lot of times these things have long stretches in between them," he said.

"When the fall comes around, then we'll be glad to sit down."

Norwegian also pointed out the process is getting close to a resolution.

"It's almost climactic," he said, echoing an assertion DFN representative Allen Bouvier made during the Dehcho Annual Assembly.

At that time, Bouvier said the Dehcho Land Use Plan was close to being completed and could see implementation in 2016.

The territorial government could not provide comment by press time.

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