"Diavik recognizes that its project is on land traditionally used by aboriginal people. Therefore, it is important that we work closely together in developing the mine," Diavik president Rod Davey said.

Davey also said the agreement is one way Diavik can show commitment to "building a mutually respectful and beneficial relationship" which will extend beyond the mine's startup.

As well, the agreement will assist the Dogrib in assessing the Diavik project, Davey said.

"We have always been open for business," Grand Chief Joe Rabesca said.

"The land, water and all its resources are an important part of Dogrib life," he said.

"We are happy to have signed this co-operation agreement with Diavik and start this partnership well ahead of the actual development."

As part of the formal signing ceremony, the company presented Elizabeth MacKenzie elementary school with a traditional birch bark canoe made by Dogrib elder Nick Black. For their part, Dogrib chiefs presented Diavik with two traditional drums.

The ceremony was held Jan. 30 in Rae-Edzo. The agreement was signed by four Dogrib chiefs and the company.

Yellowknife-based Diavik, with its Vancouver-based junior mining company Aber Resources Ltd., hopes to be mining diamonds at Lac de Gras by 2001.