Derek Neary
Northern News Services

FORT SIMPSON (Mar 05/99) - Deh Cho First Nations Grand Chief Michael Nadli spoke with Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, Jane Stewart, late last month, but formal negotiations for self-government have yet to begin.

Nadli and Stewart had a phone conversation on Feb. 19 and a subsequent meeting with DIAND officials -- including assistant negotiator Robin Aitken -- that took place on the Hay River Reserve last week. The Deh Cho Process and the ministerial envoys report were discussed, along with a time frame in which to begin negotiations, according to Nadli.

Prior to last week's meeting, Dan Mandin, director of aboriginal and territorial relations with DIAND, said an interim-protection plan for the region, along with a framework agreement for negotiations, were foremost on the agenda.

Nadli characterized the results of the meeting as "extremely positive."

"It's kind of pre-developmental. Right now, from both sides of the table, we're kind of looking at 'What do we do next?'... There are some things we need to do in terms of preparing...we could move into formal negotiations very soon," Nadli said, adding that he expects to present a status report on the progress of formal negotiations at the DCFN's annual assembly in July. By then, he said, face-to-face talks should be under way.

The question remains about the Acho Dene Koe in Fort Liard. They are pursuing their own land claim but have been members of the DCFN as well.

"I'm not going to make any statement on that at this time," Nadli said of relations with the Acho Dene Koe.

Mandin was unsure whether the absence of the Acho Dene Koe in the negotiations would be a major obstacle.

"I can't really predict that. I would hope that it wouldn't hold up things," he said. "I guess my first hope would be that they wouldn't opt out. My hope is that we can find some way to accommodate the band's concerns within the regional process. It seems to me that we ought to be able to do that."

Nadli has spent time this week consulting with First Nations' leaders from around the region.

"There are so many variables, so many bodies that need to be in place...it's consensus. Perhaps there are some pros and cons about it, but we try to have everybody on board and paddling," he said.

DCFN officials are scheduled to meet in Fort Simpson during the third week of March to follow up on the issue and to participate in a Deh Cho Resource Management Authority mobilization workshop. Aitken is scheduled to be present as well.

Stewart is expected to formally respond to the ministerial envoy's report by the end of March -- a response that was originally supposed to come in November or December. Nadli offered a "no comment" when asked if he was becoming frustrated by the delays.