Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (Nov 26/99) - The Deh Cho First Nations (DCFN) has filled the majority of its negotiating team positions, but due to federal government policy, there may not be any long-term self-government negotiations.

That word came from DCFN chief negotiator Chris Reid Monday. He reported that former Liidli Kue First Nation chief Herb Norwegian was hired as the assistant negotiator, Yellowknifer Jeff Pandke was named mapping technician and DCFN staff member Leona Louie will be negotiations secretary. The position of communications officer still remains open at this point.

Reid added there are still a number of crucial issues -- such as a framework agreement and interim protection -- that have yet to be resolved if negotiations are to proceed. The two sides met in Fort Providence a few weeks ago for a second round of discussions.

The federal negotiators looked upon the DCFN's proposed framework agreement positively, but insisted the GNWT be a third party in the negotiations process. The DCFN is opposed to the involvement of the territorial government, particularly regarding lands and resources issues. To this point, the GNWT has sent observers to the discussions.

As for interim measures, the DCFN has proposed that no land-use permits be issued in the Deh Cho without First Nations' agreement while negotiations are ongoing. During the talks, a land-use plan for the whole region, which is already under way, could be fully developed, Reid said. It will identify protected areas and lands that could be designated for development.

"Their initial response to that proposal was not favourable," he said. "We urged them to seriously consider that proposal as a gesture of good faith."

The feds prefer to use the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act, Reid noted.

Another problem is negotiations funding.

"We have funding to the end of March, beyond that we don't know," he said.

The DCFN is opposed to having the federal government lend them money for negotiations, as has been the policy in other First Nations negotiations. Reid, a lawyer, said the feds generally deduct the sum of the loan from a cash settlement at the conclusion of the negotiations. In the DCFN's case, however, no portion of the land will be sold to the government, so a cash settlement is unlikely, Reid noted. In addition, the DCFN feels a government loan gives the feds a "high measure of control" over the negotiations, he added.

The next round of talks has been tentatively set for mid-December. If self-government negotiations were to collapse at this early juncture, they could only be resumed when the federal government's policy is revised, according to Reid.

"I think it will be. I'm optimistic that it will eventually," he said.

Otherwise, the jurisdiction over the land could be determined in the courts, he suggested.

"Realistically, that's what could happen if we don't get past some of these tough issues."