Dane Gibson
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Jan 07/00) - Negotiations between Diavik Diamond Mines Inc. and the Yellowknives Dene have halted.

Dettah Chief Richard Edjericon and Ndilo Chief Peter Liske say they were led to believe negotiations to finalize a participation agreement that would compensate their people, were exclusively with the Yellowknives Dene.

Talks began in October, but Edjericon said during the negotiations Diavik suddenly wanted to finalize an agreement that included Inuit, Metis, Treaty 11 (Dogrib), and Yellowknives Dene together.

"Negotiations were going well until we got about half-way through. That's when Diavik said they were going to treat the five aboriginal groups who will be affected by the mine equally," said Edjericon.

"They got us to believe we were the primary user, so when they said they were going to lump us in with every other group, the negotiations broke down and we walked out."

Liske said the Diavik mine will affect aboriginal groups differently so each should have their own agreement. He said Diavik stands to save money by putting everyone under one agreement, and the 1,100 Yellowknives Dene will lose by the action.

"Diavik got the green light from the Minister of Environment because he believed the Yellowknives Dene were the priority group and in agreement with the project," said Liske.

"We're not against the Diavik mine, but we should have priority in these negotiations. We've been patient people and Diavik is trying to take advantage of the situation."

The chiefs said they are now considering launching a court injunction against Diavik.

Dene nation support

Dene National Chief Bill Erasmus has requested that Diavik and the Yellowknives Dene return to the negotiating table to "reach a participation agreement in good faith."

"Diavik has to recognize that they are mining in unceded territory of the Yellowknives Dene. The Yellowknives have not extinguished any land or resource rights within their territory," said Erasmus.

"The Dene Nation feels that the Yellowknives are being very reasonable in their approach to the extraction of non-renewable resources within their territory. They are saying that development can proceed with conditions."

Diavik representatives couldn't be reached for comment.