Dane Gibson
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jun 09/99) - Frustrated Akaitcho Treaty 8 elders have instructed their leaders to halt Treaty 8 negotiations with the federal government and to enact total enforcement of a moratorium on Akaitcho Territory land.

The moratorium means all existing mining activity will continue, but any new development, including the expansion of existing operations, will not be tolerated on Akaitcho territory.

"BHP has five (kimberlite pipes) to develop. We heard they want to start another two or three and we're not going to support that," Yellowknives Dene Chief Jonas Sangris said. "We're not worried about the diamond mine. The diamonds aren't going anywhere so they can stay underground as far as we're concerned."

Dene chiefs are in agreement that any land use permits given out by the federal government will not be supported by Akaitcho Treaty 8.

"The moratorium is still in effect and we will use any means to protect our lands," said Yellowknives Ndilo Chief Fred Sangris.

Faced with what the Dene chiefs call "federal government stall tactics," a framework agreement that was years in the making and more than 90 per cent complete is on hold until the federal government drop their demands to include the GNWT as a full partner.

"We want to move forward on the framework agreement, the only thing we don't agree with is having the GNWT at the table because they are the administrative arm of the federal government," Fred Sangris said.

"In areas of treaties, we need only Crown officials and First Nations in order to work out what was supposed to be worked out 100 years ago. Today, the federal government is imposing the GNWT on us and we view them as working in bad faith because of that."

Dene national chief Bill Erasmus said including the GNWT in negotiations would be no different than including other parties who may be affected by the treaty.

"The comparison can be made to the Yellowknives Deton'cho Corporation. They are an arm of the Yellowknives and I ask why should they be at the table? The answer is they shouldn't," Erasmus said.

"It's the same as the territorial government -- they are an arm of Canada and should not be at the table unless they are invited to discuss a specific issue. The Deton'cho Corporation may be invited if we talk economics, the Dene Nation may be involved if we talk political control -- but only if we're asked."