Derek Neary
Northern News Services

FORT SIMPSON (Apr 02/99) - The Liidlii Kue First Nation (LKFN) has given the federal government notice that it wants to be part of the land-permit process from the outset.

"We want some control on what's going on here," said acting chief Ernest Cazon. "Right now, all we get is 'consulted.' I hate that word, 'consulted' because it has so many meanings."

Cazon said the LKFN wishes to be informed of any activity that is to take place on its traditional lands before it begins.

"Right now, it's just between the applicant and the government. It's our land that their wishing to tear up. We just want control in it. We want to say, 'Yes,' or 'No' and how it's going to be done," he said.

"We're not trying to stop development, we just want a say in how it goes.... Let us in on what's happening, right from the start. Not halfway or pretty close to three-quarters of the way, (DIAND) send us a land-use permit saying, 'Make any suggestions.' That's their consultation to us? It's just not working. It has never worked."

In a press release issued last week, the LKFN directed the Department of Indian Affairs to disclose and cease all current land dispositions on LKFN traditional territories.

"The First Nation is interested in negotiating interim protection for its traditional territories and will then identify some areas where development might proceed with the First Nation's consent and participation," the press release reads.

Cazon said representatives from the LKFN met with DIAND regional director general Bob Overvold earlier this month and things were "looking positive."

"They're starting to recognize us as an aboriginal government. We said in order to start working together we can't bring up stuff like the (Canadian) mining regulations," he said. "We have to start trusting each other. In order to do that, we've got to start respecting each other government to government."