by Arthur Milnes
Northern News Services

FORT SIMPSON (Mar 13/98) - Members of the Deh Cho First Nations (DCFN) along with area Metis will soon be gathering to discuss the protection of areas on their traditional lands.

DCFN Grand Chief Michael Nadli says the gathering -- with assistance from the NWT Chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society -- will be held March 23-27 in Fort Simpson.

"The land has always taken care of us," he said in a release. "As Dene Metis people, we are taught to respect the land and all that it offers. As industrial opportunities open up on our land base, we have to look at how to maintain our stewardship of the land."

"One of the ways we can do that is to identify areas that need special protection because they are so important ecologically or culturally."

Delegates plan on utilizing the knowledge of elders, as well as the latest scientific knowledge, to assist in their discussions.

Funding for the workshop is being provided by the GWNT's Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development and Ottawa's Department of Indian and Northern Affairs.