The community, an 80-kilometre canoe trip from Fort Resolution and at the mouth of the Taltson River west of Lutselk'e, was abandoned in the early 1960s after fire destroyed the local school. The federal government decided to relocate most of the 30 families to Fort Resolution.

"More than 30 years of history has been lost," Giroux said.

Currently a member of the Fort Resolution band -- but living in Dettah, where his wife is a member of the Yellowknives Dene band -- Giroux has no title to land and can't start a business without the support of his wife's band. Because all the jobs and training generally go to those who have lived in a community the longest, Giroux said he feels "like a second-class citizen" and lacks self-esteem.

"I don't feel accepted in certain areas," he said.

At one time, Rocher River had a chapel, general store, school and coffee shop, according to Giroux.

Actively trying to determine the property boundaries of surrounding bands, he said existing Dene bands recognize and respect some trappers who still use the Rocher River land.

The territorial and federal governments have been petitioned about the matter in the past but it's at the band level that the question must be put, said Giroux.

"Basically, the route that people were taking was bypassing Fort Resolution," he said.

The protocol decreed by the federal government is complex and potentially very lengthy.

According to the Department Indian and Northern Affairs' land management manual, the first step is to file a formal written request to separate to departmental headquarters in Yellowknife. The request must give the reason for the division and the alternatives considered.

The parent band, in this case Fort Resolution, has to submit a band council resolution and give its consent.

The parent band, however, not only would lose members, but the proportional allotment of federal government funding.

Regional representatives from DIAND would then review the proposal, which must clearly set out lands and assets arrangements, and make some recommendations. The proposal is then forwarded to headquarters. From there, it is prepared for the deputy minister.

If approved, there will be consultation, with both parties, including a secret-ballot referendum to confirm the terms of the agreement and the desire of those who want to relocate with the new band.

Finally, if all terms are met, a ministerial order creates the new band.

However, the band must have an existing land base and band creation cannot result in any cost to the federal government. The land base in this case, presently Crown land, would have to be gained through a treaty.

Andre Pleau, regional director of lands and trust services for DIAND, cited Snare Lake -- a division that took place two years ago -- as an example.

"There was an existing community, with a land base, infrastructure, houses, everything," Pleau said, adding that many territorial government services will also be required.

The process can be a lengthy one. Members of the Salt River First Nations underwent negotiations for the 10 years before recently being granted title to land in Fort Fitzgerald, Alta.

The possibility of having to wait for a decade isn't deterring Giroux. "There's no real time limit right now ... however long it takes," he said.