Dehcho Process set to resume
Leadership meets in Fort Simpson to discuss future of negotiations
April Hudson
Northern News Services
Monday, February 22, 2016
DEH CHO
Dehcho First Nations wrapped up three days of discussion on the Dehcho Process on Feb. 11 with calls for Grand Chief Herb Norwegian to write a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Indigenous and Northern Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett.
The plan is to ask them to make a pledge to forge a nation-to-nation relationship.
"We know this is an issue because ... although our government has said sunny-ways promises, they have not yet come out with a statement on what they're going to do differently," said lawyer Larry Innes.
"One of the things people have said needs to be done is there needs to be this commitment, in writing, from the governments."
That letter to Trudeau and Bennett could also include an invitation to the Dehcho Assembly.
In an interview with News/North just prior to the workshop, Norwegian said he has worked with Trudeau in the past on Nahanni National Park.
"We had a good rapport," he said.
"There might be a chance there to spark some interest and to just kick things up a notch here, move things forward."
The meeting hosted representatives from Jean Marie River First Nation, Sambaa K'e First Nation, Deh Gah Got'ie First Nation, Liidlii Kue First Nation, Metis groups from Fort Providence and Fort Simpson.
Other member nations were also welcomed to attend the meeting at Fort Simpson's recreation centre.
The meeting was a strategic and tactical planning workshop and was facilitated by Innes, a partner at Olthuis, Kleer, Townshend LLP who practices in aboriginal rights and environmental law.
The workshop gave Dehcho First Nations leaders an opportunity to get acquainted with the Dehcho Process's new chief negotiator, Garth Wallbridge.
The workshop culminated in discussion on Feb. 11 to determine a plan of action for the Dehcho Process to move forward.
Much of that discussion focused on the need for unity within the Dehcho First Nations leading up to the annual summer Dehcho Assembly.
"Knowing what our key interests are, what it is we're trying to achieve - knowing very clearly what we want the other governments and other parties to agree to, but equally knowing what we'll do if the governments don't agree with us ... That's really the exercise of interest-based negotiations," said Innes during the meeting.
Innes led the group in drawing up a timeline for the coming months, including a section for the future after the Dehcho Assembly.
That, he said, would provide a bit of clarity on the First Nations' action plan and tasks that need to be accomplished.
The next round of negotiations for the Dehcho Process is scheduled to begin on Feb. 23.
