Doug Ashbury
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jul 27/98) - The landmark BHP Diamonds Inc. North Slave Metis Alliance agreement means Northern Metis will for the first time participate directly in the NWT's resource industry, Clem Paul said.

Historically, Metis have not been miners and have had little or no association with Yellowknife's gold mines, Paul, president of the North Slave Metis Alliance, said.

But Metis have a significant number of people looking to fill heavy equipment and trades positions.

Paul also said the IBA is "the first step forward in insuring that aboriginal rights to land are protected and respected."

The deal, signed after months of delays, sets out terms and conditions on how Metis will benefit from BHP's Ekati diamond mine, which is scheduled to go into production in October.

Paul said the delay was largely due to efforts by Metis Nation of the NWT to sign a separate agreement.

The alliance represents Metis in Yellowknife, Rae-Edzo, Wha-ti, Rae Lakes, Snare Lake, Dettah and Ndilo. About 1,000, most in Yellowknife and Rae-Edzo, are eligible to be members of the North Slave Metis Alliance.

"We look forward to working with BHP Diamonds to ensure jobs, training and business opportunities from the mine flow to our people," Paul said.

BHP president Jim Rothwell said: "We are very pleased to have established a new, mutually beneficial and long term relationship with the Metis people in the area impacted by our project."

The alliance is the third aboriginal organization to work out a deal with BHP. The Akaitcho Treaty 8 and Dogrib Treaty 11 councils concluded negotiations and signed last year.

BHP and the Kitikmeot Inuit Association are still talking.

Details of agreements have not been released, but a year ago an Edmonton newspaper reported each of the two IBAs is worth $1 million per year for the life of the mine.

A source familiar with the negotiations told xxxNews/North the million-dollar figure was accurate for the Treaty 8 agreement but that the Dogrib agreement was closer to $1.3 million.

The source said the alliance will get $300,000 per year over the live of the mine, plus several thousand dollars annually in scholarship funds and employment guarantees.

BHP estimates a 17-year mine life.